Newcastle predicted lineup vs Bournemouth

Newcastle welcome Bournemouth to St James’ Park for an early kickoff on Saturday, and after surviving the toughest possible opening fixtures, a draw at Liverpool and a win at Tottenham, this looks like the first game where Matthias Jaissle’s side go in as the clear favourites.

Here’s the Newcastle predicted lineup to keep that unbeaten start going.

Goalkeeper: Lukas Hornicek

Lukáš Horníček did well at Tottenham, particularly given the early questions raised about his performances before that. He pulled off several important saves and there’s no reason to change him now.

Back four: Amar Dedic, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall

The back four has stayed largely the same and looks unlikely to shift for the foreseeable future.

Amar Dedic came straight into the side and has looked assured immediately, while Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman continue centrally with Botman in particular looking considerably better across these opening matches after a shaky pre-season.

Dan Burn remains out injured for the next few weeks at least, which keeps the pressure squarely on Botman to maintain that form.

Lewis Hall gave away two penalties across the first two games but that could be because of a lapse of focus given all the links surrounding him and a possible Newcastle exit. But with that out of the way

Midfield: Nico González, Lewis Miley

Nico González makes his home debut here and this midfield pairing is arguably the biggest reason for optimism heading into the game.

Pairing an 18-year-old in Sean Steur with a 20-year-old in Lewis Miley, however talented both are, would have been a genuine problem against more craftier midfields in the English top tier. And having Gonzalez changes that picture entirely for the Toons. He gives that physical presence and that defensive security at the heart of the field to protect Miley while he continues to progress, combine and arrive in advanced areas the way he does best.

Number ten: Joe Willock

Joe Willock continues in behind the front line having performed well in that number ten role so far.

With Fernández-Pardo not quite ready for 90 minutes, Willock’s experience there remains valuable, and he’ll likely see competition for that spot increase in the weeks ahead once the new signing is fully up to speed.

Right wing: Anthony Elanga

Anthony Elanga has started the season explosively. He has already had a couple of goals in his opening two Premier League games. While he did have a difficult last season and dropping him now risks undermining that momentum for no good reason.

His game thrives specifically in transition. He is good at running into space rather than combining patiently against a settled defence which suits Newcastle’s counter-attacking approach here.

Jacob Murphy offers a genuinely useful alternative against a low block given how he is more comfortable getting shots away in tighter areas and remains a smart option off the bench if the game state calls for it. But for now, this is Elanga’s shirt to keep.

Left wing: Harvey Barnes

Harvey Barnes continues on the left flank. Matías Fernández-Pardo is available following his £51 million move but is unlikely to start given his lack of match sharpness, with a role from the bench far more realistic as he builds towards full fitness.

Striker: Yoane Wissa

Yoane Wissa will be leading the line centrally. He has been impressive in first two games as well and with William Osula still serving his groin injury and Nick Woltemade moving to Juventus, Wissa will continue to lead the line.