After a five-week mid-season break for the FIFA World Cup, English football resumes on Tuesday with Newcastle hosting Bournemouth in an all-Premier League tie in the EFL Cup at St. James’ Park.
Finally, competitive football returns to St. James’ Park as Newcastle United look to extend their incredible season by progressing one stage further in the Carabao Cup.
This competition is significant for the Magpies as they, regrettably, have not won any major trophy since defeating Ujpest in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final in 1969. To put that in context, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in the same year. And Newcastle’s last domestic success was in the 1955 FA Cup.
For a club of Newcastle’s size, it has been a big stain on their powerhouse status in English football. When it comes to Newcastle United’s owners’ ambition, it is a clear assumption they want to compete for every honour possible.
They pleased not just the club supporters with their community engagement but experts alike with the manner in which they tackled the transfer business last summer. Despite having enough money to purchase whomever they want, they spent smartly, and it was worthwhile.
Eddie Howe, who has been considered one of the top candidates for the England job, appears to be the ideal manager for the position, and the club have enjoyed a fantastic 2022 with just six losses in 31 Premier League matches since the turn of the year.
Currently sitting third in the Premier League table, five points off the top, they have emerged as the dark horses in the English top flight this season. However, they have rode their luck a bit in the EFL Cup with a narrow 2-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers in the second round before coming out on top in a penalty shoot-out against Crystal Palace.
With many Premier League big-hitters already out of the competition, and with one of Manchester City and Liverpool set to bow out in this Round of 16, the Magpies have a real chance to lift silverware if they maintain their early season form.
On the other hand, Bournemouth have made interim manager Gary O’Neil’s position full-time over the break, and have a new owner in Bill Foley and his partnership group Black Knight FC after their takeover was given the clearance by the Premier League owners and directors test.
Bournemouth had lost four matches on the bounce before recording back-to-back victories against Everton in the Premier League and in this competition to head into the break with high spirits. The Cherries currently sit 14th in the Premier League, three points clear of danger.
While the Magpies are favourites here, they should take this encounter lightly at their own peril, as the Cherries blasted Everton, 4-1 in this competition and then 3-0 in the league three days later.
Bournemouth played out a deserved 1-1 away draw against Newcastle in the Premier League earlier this season. And ahead of his side’s matchup against Newcastle on Tuesday night at St. James’ Park, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both sides.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe on Allan Saint-Maximin:
"I think there's a slight injury but we'll see today how he comes in. After a game things can be sore but they can settle quickly so hopefully that's the case." pic.twitter.com/ynHwvrMEud
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 19, 2022
Newcastle will have to make do with some injuries to major players. Speaking in his first press conference back following the World Cup, manager Eddie Howe ruled out Alexander Isak (thigh) for tomorrow’s clash while casting doubt over the availability of international campaigners Callum Wilson, Fabian Schar, and Bruno Guimaraes. All are reportedly fine and will be assessed before the game, but are not likely to start here.
The former Bournemouth boss also revealed that Allan Saint-Maximin picked up a “slight knock” in their 2-1 friendly win over Rayo Vallecano last Saturday. Kieran Trippier was also spotted holding his groin in the same match but is reported to be fine, while Joelinton sustained a minor hamstring injury in a friendly prior to that against Al-Hilal.
Despite these likely absences, Howe will have a good selection pool to pick from as he looks to set up his team in the usual 4-3-3 formation.
While Karl Darlow started the campaign as cup goalkeeper against Tranmere, Nick Pope showed his heroics in the penalty shootout against Palace last time out, and should keep his spot in between the sticks on Tuesday evening. Jamaal Lascelles should replace Schar as Sven Botman’s partner at the heart of Newcastle defence, while Trippier and Matt Targett will slot in as the full-backs for the home side.
There could be scope for some rotation in the centre of the park. With Guimaraes unlikely to start, Jonjo Shelvey will take up the midfield anchor role, as he specialises in keeping things ticking along with his slick, accurate passing. Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock will be the other midfielders, providing defensive nous as well as pushing forward to create overloads and those intricate triangles.
Saint-Maximin may be rested for the EFL Cup tie. Instead, Jacob Murphy could come into the side on the right flank, while speedster and in-form goal-scorer Miguel Almiron will look to pick up where he left off before the break. He should continue on the left wing. Chris Wood will spearhead the line for the Toon, having converted a well-taken penalty in the friendly win against Vallecano.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Botman, Targett; Shelvey, Longstaff, Willock; Almiron, Wood, Murphy
Bournemouth
Unlike his counterpart in the Newcastle dugout, Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil has no fresh injury concerns to deal with ahead of the trip to St James’ Park. The Wales duo of Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham were the only ones who went to the Qatar World Cup, and they will almost certainly be available here after Wales’ early group-stage crash-out.
That said, the game might come too soon for the players who have returned from long-term injuries, including goalkeeper Neto (hamstring), Lloyd Kelly (ankle), and David Brooks (thigh), all of whom might be available for next weekend’s clash with Chelsea. Otherwise, Gary O’Neil will have a fully fit squad to pick from here.
Tomorrow, we're back 😍 pic.twitter.com/rDRGFbnouT
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 19, 2022
O’Neil will certainly opt for his preferred 4-4-2 compact formation, with Mark Travers, who infamously conceded nine goals against Liverpool earlier this season, in between the sticks. Adam Smith, Chris Mepham, Marcos Senesi, and Jordan Zemura will form the back-four.
Philip Billing has been in fine form in the first-half of the season, chipping in with four goals and one assist. He will look to continue to provide an all-action display from the industrious left-sided midfielder role. Jefferson Lerma, and Lewis Cook will form the double-pivot, whereas Marcus Tavernier will look to stretch the right-flank with his pace and menace.
Finally, up top will the two-man strike-force of towering Kieffer Moore and Dominic Solanke as they look to give Newcastle centre-backs a rough time with his sheer physical nuisance and aerial prowess.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Travers; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Zemura; Tavernier, Cook, Lerma, Billing; Moore, Solanke
Key Stats
- The Magpies have been particularly dominant on their home turf, having gone thirteen games unbeaten in all competitions, with nine wins and four draws.
- Newcastle are unbeaten in their 13 home matches (W9 D4).
- Bournemouth are without a win in their last four away games and have lost five of their last nine away matches.
- Newcastle have won two of their last three home matches against Bournemouth.
- Bournemouth have scored two or more goals in their last four matches.
Player to Watch
Miguel Almiron
Put simply, Almiron has been a revelation this season and has been one of the standout players for Newcastle. He is having his best season in front of the goal in a black and white shirt, with eight goals in 15 appearances.
Add the incredible amount of pressing and defensive work that the 28-year-old has put in to establish himself as one of the first names on the team sheet this season, and he deserves every ounce of praise that comes his way.
Newcastle’s decision to prioritise other areas after looking for a right winger in the summer is a credit to Almiron’s performance this season. He scored two beautiful goals in Newcastle’s recent 5-0 victory over Al-Hilal in a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia, which proves he hasn’t lost that magical scoring touch; expect him to bulge the net here.
Prediction
Newcastle United 2-1 Bournemouth
The home side are itching for the resumption of the season after having a stellar first three months of the season. The Magpies went into the World Cup break on an 11-game unbeaten streak. And while many have tried, no one has managed to beat Newcastle on home soil this season.
They are the form team here, and while the domestic break may have hampered their momentum, the Magpies should be confident about their chances of progressing to the next round against Howe’s former club Bournemouth, who will be no pushovers.
But with the Cherries fighting relegation and Newcastle not engaged in European competition, the Hard Tackle anticipate the hosts to take this tie more seriously as Eddie Howe & co. look to snap to break their long-running trophy drought.
