Pressure is starting to build on Eddie Howe at Newcastle United and he badly needs a win when old club AFC Bournemouth come to St James' Park in the Premier League.
Howe could do no wrong last season after winning the club's first major trophy for 70 years and leading the Magpies back into the Champions League.
But some fans now want him to be sacked after Sunday's 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace left Newcastle languishing in 14th place.
Incredibly, Howe's side are still just six points behind sixth-placed Chelsea in a congested Premier League table so all hope is not yet lost.
But they need to start winning and it won't be easy against a Bournemouth side who are playing some of the best football in England right now.
The Cherries claimed a shock 2-1 win away to leaders Arsenal last weekend and that made it 11 games without defeat since bowing out of the FA Cup on penalties on their last trip to St James' Park.
Andoni Iraola's men are now just three points off the top six and can boost their own prospects of qualifying for Europe by piling on the misery for Newcastle.
How the bookies view it: Cherries ripe for picking at 11/4
This is a tricky one to call because Newcastle are normally strong at home while Bournemouth are on such a good run of form. But the bookies have the Magpies as odds-on favourites at a best 10/11 with Ladbrokes and Iraola's side look overpriced at 11/4 with BOYLESports. The draw pays 3/1 at BetMGM.
Recent head to head: Daggers drawn
That 3-3 FA Cup thriller at St James' Park in January was the third draw in four games between these sides. Bournemouth are on a seven-match unbeaten run in normal time against Newcastle since losing 2-1 on Tyneside in the EFL Cup back in 2022.
Players to watch: Barnes with a point to prove
Howe will probably make changes after such a poor result at Palace and Harvey Barnes could return on the left wing. He has netted 14 times this season and is 17/10 at BetMGM for a goal but I'm more drawn to the 3/1 on offer at Bet365 for an assist.
Evanilson is a great focal point for the Bournemouth attack and the Brazilian's lovely flick set up Alex Scott's winner at the Emirates last weekend. He's 7/5 with Bet365 for a goal or assist and that looks good value.
Probable line-ups
A big reason for Newcastle's poor form is the absence of injured captain Bruno Guimaraes. He looks set to miss out again along with Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar. Midfielder Joelinton is also suspended.
Bournemouth have a pretty clean bill of health with only Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert on the sidelines.
Newcastle United: Ramsdale, Livramento, Burn, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Miley, Barnes, Gordon, Elanga.
AFC Bournemouth: Petrovic, Truffert, Senesi, Jimenez, Hill, Scott, Christie, Tavernier, Kroupi, Rayan, Evanilson.
Anything else catch the eye?
The first meeting of these sides earlier in the season was a 0-0 draw but they more than made up for that by sharing six goals at St James' Park in the FA Cup.
Based on Bournemouth's display at the Emirates last week, this should be a open game with chances at both ends. Combining BTTS with over 2.5 goals only pays 8/11 with William Hill but there's more value in over 1.5 first-half goals at 23/20 with BetVictor.
Think both sides will find the net? Our BTTS Masterclass explains how to spot the fixtures where goals are a given.
Both teams have energetic midfields who like to press so we could see a few fouls in the engine room. Combining over 0.5 fouls for Sandro Tonali, Alex Scott and Jacob Ramsey pays evens at Bet365.
The Cherries have picked up most cards in both meetings this season so Bournemouth -1 in the card handicap could offer some value at 6/4 with Bet365.
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