Bournemouth will be looking for their first Premier League home win since January as they welcome Newcastle United to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The Cherries currently sit one place above the Magpies in 12th, with their confidence given a boost after a 2-0 away victory against Huddersfield Town. However it won't be as easy this time around as they face a Newcastle side buoyed by a dramatic 3-2 home win over Everton.
After ending their five-game winless streak, Eddie Howe's team will be keen to put the negative run firmly behind them and a win this weekend would secure that golden 40-point marker for safety.
As for Rafa Benitez's side, they will take great confidence following their comeback victory against the Toffees and a win would leapfrog them above Bournemouth due to their superior goal difference.
This weekend's clash is a crucial fixture for both sides as they look to secure Premier League safety, check out 90min's preview below.
Where to Watch
| When Is Kick Off? | Saturday 16 March |
| What Time Is Kick Off? | 15:00 (GMT) |
| Where Is It Played? | Vitality Stadium |
| TV Channel/Live Stream? | Sky Sports Soccer Saturday |
| Referee? | Mike Dean |
Team News
Bring on the weekend already... @CallumWilson pic.twitter.com/qZX0RrrHp7
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) March 12, 2019
However, he has a fresh injury concern in defence after right-back Adam Smith was forced off just before half-time after aggravating a recurring hamstring problem against Huddersfield.
He joins Steve Cook, Lewis Cook and Simon Francis on the injury list but Welshman David Brooks is expected to start again despite being replaced by Dominic Solanke in the second half following a recent ankle injury.
Benitez has a real headache in defence with Fabian Schar suspended after his tenth yellow card of the season, and captain Jamaal Lascelles being brought off at half-time
Newcastle have been favouring three central defenders in a 5-3-2 setup of late and might have to re-think their linup if Lascelles is ruled out as well.
Sean Longstaff is their only long-term absentee and they'll be hoping no more are lost to injury during the business end of the season.
Predicted Lineups
| Bournemouth | Boruc; Clyne, Mepham, Ake, Daniels; Brooks, Lerma, Surman, Fraser; Wilson, King. |
| Newcastle | Dubravka; Yedlin, Lejeune, Fernandez, Dummett, Ritchie; Hayden, Ki, Almiron; Perez, Rondon. |
Head to Head Record
Premier League history tells us that this fixture is tough to call, as in their five meetings there have been two wins for either team and one draw.
Bournemouth did the double over Newcastle last season but the Magpies hold the most recent bragging rights following a 2-1 home win in November thanks to a brace from Salomon Rondon, with Jefferson Lerma replying for the Cherries.
Despite being one of the longest road trips in the league, this fixture has ironically favoured the travelling side as the Toon Army are unbeaten at the Vitality Stadium and the Cherries' two wins have only come at St James' Park.
Bournemouth comfortably dispatched bottom side Huddersfield in their last outing but their form has been very shaky of late and they were in danger of being sucked into a relegation scrap.
"We really felt for the supporters in that time without an away win so we're really pleased for them."
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) March 10, 2019
Well said boss #afcb https://t.co/HorCLCGzgd
They haven't won back-to-back league games since they beat West Ham United and Chelsea in January and will breathe a sigh of relief if they reach 40 points on Saturday.
After Wilson's long injury setback, the Cherries will be delighted that he's back amongst the goals as he brings extra potency to a pacy front three including Ryan Fraser and Joshua King.
Benitez's men have turned St James' Park into a fortress in 2019 but haven't travelled well this season, with only two away wins against Burnley and Huddersfield.
However, they've been on a good run of form recently, securing 10 points in their last five games.
Here are the last five fixtures for both sides:
| Bournemouth | Newcastle |
| Huddersfield 0-2 Bournemouth (9/3) | Newcastle 3-2 Everton (9/3) |
| Bournemouth 0-1 Man City (2/3) | West Ham 2-0 Newcastle (2/3) |
| Arsenal 5-1 Bournemouth (27/2) | Newcastle 2-0 Burnley (26/2) |
| Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves (23/2) | Newcastle 2-0 Huddersfield (23/2) |
| Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth (9/2) | Wolves 1-1 Newcastle (11/2) |
Prediction
With things heating up in the relegation stakes, both teams will be eager to secure three points to take important strides towards securing Premier League safety for next season. Newcastle have more reasons to check over their shoulder with only a six point gap between them and Cardiff City, but can go above Bournemouth with an away win.
Howe will look to deploy the same front three that caused the Terriers problems in their recent win to exploit a weakened Newcastle defence.
However, Benitez's defensive organisation is notoriously hard to break down and given their impressive record in Bournemouth they will remain resolute and sneak a crucial victory.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Newcastle
Source : 90min