Bournemouth will aim to continue the push for European qualification, while Newcastle United will be eager to arrest their slide when the two sides meet at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

The 2025/26 Premier League season resumes this weekend with Gameweek 33. The action on the day starts with the match between Brentford and Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium before continuing with two simultaneous games, including Newcastle United vs Bournemouth at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle United would have hoped to push for bigger and better things after winning a trophy and securing a top-five finish last season. However, while the Magpies were impressive in the UEFA Champions League, they will finish this term without a trophy, with European qualification also looking unlikely. Eddie Howe’s men are 14th in the Premier League standings, having lost four of their last six top-flight games.

On the other hand, Bournemouth’s upturn in form shows no signs of slowing down. The Cherries have not lost a Premier League game since January, and the 2-1 win over Arsenal last weekend was the latest feather in their cap, stretching their unbeaten streak to 12, the longest active run in the Premier League.

However, the week has brought a dampener of an update, as Andoni Iraola will depart from the Vitality Stadium after the 2025/26 season. The Spanish tactician has been the most pivotal figure in Bournemouth’s ascent, transforming the team from relegation candidates to potential European contenders despite losing several crucial players along the way. Nevertheless, he will be eager to bow out on a high note by continuing his team’s unbeaten run.

The reverse fixture was a drab goalless stalemate, with Bournemouth and Newcastle United producing only three shots on target. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe has a new roster issue that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Newcastle United manager will be bereft of the services of at least three first-team players, while Bruno Guimaraes (hamstring) faces a race against time to be available on Saturday.

Joelinton is the latest absentee, as he incurred a two-match suspension after picking up his tenth booking of the 2025/26 Premier League season. The Brazilian international accompanies Emil Krafth (knee) and Fabian Schar (ankle) on the sidelines.

Aaron Ramsdale will take his spot between the sticks, with Newcastle United lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Bournemouth on Saturday. The backline will feature Valentino Livramento, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, and Lewis Hall.

As for the midfield unit, Lewis Miley will line up alongside Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey in the middle of the park. Finally, William Osula will lead the line for Newcastle United against Bournemouth, with Ashley Barnes and Anthony Gordon being the two wide attackers. So, Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Woltemade, and Yoane Wissa will be among the backup options on the bench.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Miley, Tonali, Ramsey; Barnes, Osula, Gordon

Bournemouth

Unlike his counterpart in the Newcastle United dugout, Andoni Iraola has no new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to St. James’ Park. The Bournemouth head coach may be without three first-team players on Saturday.

Justin Kluivert remains a long-term absentee due to a knee injury that will keep him in the treatment room until May. However, Lewis Cook is closing in on returning from a hamstring injury, while Julio Soler faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.

Djordje Petrovic is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Bournemouth lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Newcastle United on Saturday. The backline will feature Alex Jimenez, James Hill, Marcos Senesi, and Adrien Truffert.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Alex Scott and Ryan Christie in the double pivot. Eli Junior Kroupi will reprise the no. 10 role, with Rayan and Marcus Tavernier being the two wide attackers. Finally, Evanilson will spearhead the Bournemouth attack against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Christie, Scott; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson

Key Stats

• Newcastle United are winless in their last seven Premier League games vs Bournemouth, with five of those meetings finishing level (L2). The Cherries have won three of their seven Premier League away games against Newcastle United (D2 L2), only winning more on the road against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the competition (4).
• Newcastle United have lost seven of their last ten Premier League matches (W3). Since the start of this run on January 25, only Tottenham Hotspur have lost as many games as the Magpies (also 7). Additionally, the Tyneside outfit have lost four of their five most recent home Premier League games (W1), and they have lost six at St. James’ Park this term, their most in a campaign under Eddie Howe. They last suffered more home league defeats back in 2020/21 (8).
• Bournemouth are without a defeat in their last 12 Premier League games, their longest-ever unbeaten run in the competition. The last side apart from Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City to have a longer run without losing were Newcastle United in 2022/23 (17).
• Bournemouth have conceded only five goals in their last seven away Premier League matches (W3 D4). They let in 23 goals in their seven away games before this run (D3 L4).
• Newcastle United have lost seven Premier League matches when scoring first this term, more than any other team. No side has ever lost more games when going 1-0 up in a season in Premier League history.

Player to Watch

Eli Junior Kroupi

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While Marcus Tavernier, William Osula, and Anthony Gordon were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Eli Junior Kroupi as the Player to Watch for Saturday’s Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

The Frenchman has ten Premier League goals for Bournemouth this season, with Romelu Lukaku the last player to score more times in a campaign as a teenager in 2012/13 for West Bromwich Albion (14). Kroupi’s 28% shot conversion is the best of any teenager to have 30 or more shots in a season that Opta has on record since 2003/04.

The youngster delivered the goods when Bournemouth clinched a shock 2-1 win over Arsenal last weekend. So, with Bournemouth participating in a Double Gameweek, it is hardly surprising that Kroupi is one of the captaincy candidates in FPL for Gameweek 33.

Prediction

Newcastle United 1-2 Bournemouth

The reverse fixture had little to write home about, with both teams searching for form. However, while Newcastle United’s fortunes remain in the doldrums, Bournemouth can do little wrong, having embarked on a 12-match unbeaten run in the Premier League since January.

Additionally, the numbers do not paint a rosy picture for Newcastle United, as they have not been at their menacing best at St. James’ Park. Additionally, they have conceded in all seven Premier League home games against Bournemouth, the most they have faced a side without a clean sheet at St. James’ Park in the competition.

While Anthony Gordon will continue his impressive form this weekend, he may not inspire his team to a much-needed victory. Instead, Eli Junior Kroupi and Marcus Tavernier will deliver the goods to secure three points for Bournemouth. The hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Andoni Iraola and his charges.