AFC Bournemouth take on Newcastle United on Sunday, looking to build on a very impressive start to the Premier League season. The Cherries have won three on the bounce in the league, and will look to make that four against a Newcastle side who lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League on Thursday.

Here’s how I predict Andoni Iraola’s side will line up to face the Geordies:

GK: DJORDJE PETROVIC

Petrovic didn’t cover himself in glory for Karou Mitoma’s goal last weekend, wandering out of his goal after a cross. Had he stayed on his line, he would have expected to save the header at his near post. However, his position in the team is under no threat, and won’t be unless he gets injured.

RB: JAMES HILL

Hill did a solid job against Mitoma, although again he may have been disappointed at letting him score a header. New signing Alex Jimenez is likely knocking at the door to start in Adam Smith’s absence, but I expect Hill to be given the nod again, as he has always looked solid at right-back. Wouldn’t be surprised if Hill gets taken off earlier for some extended Jimenez minutes, though.

CBs: VELJKO MILOSAVLJEVIC + MARCOS SENESI

Bafode Diakite has returned to training this week after missing last weekend’s win, and it wouldn’t completely shock me if he were to return to the lineup for this one. However, Milosavljevic was phenomenal on debut last weekend, and might be better suited to dealing with the aerial presence of 6’6 Nick Woltemade. Next to him, Marcos Senesi looks undroppable after three very impressive displays in succession.

LB: ADRIEN TRUFFERT

Another good performance by Truffert last weekend, although Yankuba Minteh probably gave him more headaches than any other winger has so far this season. No doubt he will keep his place in the side, as long as he is fit.

DM (‘6’): TYLER ADAMS

One of the most important players to the side right now, there is surely no chance Adams gets dropped for this game, even with Lewis Cook returning to the squad last weekend. Adams was sensational against a very talented Newcastle midfield at St James’ Park last season, and Iraola will be hoping for a similar performance level from his American enforcer this weekend. Adams is undoubtedly capable of repeating those levels, too.

CM (‘8’): ALEX SCOTT

Scott got on the scoresheet last weekend with a fantastic finish, and his performance oozed confidence thereafter. It was one of his best displays in a Bournemouth shirt – which is the second time in two weeks I’ve said that. Ryan Christie has returned to training this week after missing the Brighton game, but I can’t see him starting over Scott yet.

AM (’10’): MARCUS TAVERNIER

Tavernier probably didn’t get the credit he deserved for his role in the winning penalty last weekend. It was he who won the ball back, then despite five players swarming around him, he still managed to pick out Evanilson, who was fouled in the area. On the whole, Tavernier put in another good performance, in what has been an underrated start to the season. Justin Kluivert will be chomping at the bit to get back into the XI, but Tavernier is the likely starter for now.

WINGERS – DAVID BROOKS + ANTOINE SEMENYO

The wingers are interchangeable, so could end up on either flank, but I expect it to be the same two that have started all four league games so far. Brooks will captain the side in the absence of Adam Smith and Lewis Cook; although he had a quieter game against Brighton, he has still made a fantastic start to the season, not deserving to be dropped. Semenyo’s start has been incredible – coming off a goal and assist against Brighton, his position in the team is safe as houses.

STRIKER – EVANILSON

Evanilson only have one goal from his first four games, but has been a handful throughout. He offers much more to the side than goals, but I have no doubt the goals will eventually flow for the much-loved Brazilian.

SUBSTITUTES: DENNIS, JIMENEZ, DIAKITE, CHRISTIE, L.COOK, ADLI, GANNON-DOAK, KLUIVERT, KROUPI

(Kroupi could be swapped for Soler)

MATCH PREVIEW:

Since leaving Bournemouth in 2020, Eddie Howe has failed to beat the club in the league (4 draws, two losses). From every game I have seen under Howe against AFCB, Newcastle have massively underperformed. That has to change at some point, surely? But Andoni Iraola’s side should come into this one with great confidence, their high pressing game surely well suited against a side that played just three days prior in the Champions League.

Anthony Gordon is suspended for the game, with new big-money signings Yoanne Wissa and Jacob Ramsey ruled out through injury. Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier were both withdrawn during the Barcelona game, and will be assessed this weekend to see if they are fit enough to travel down South.

Iraola will be keen to get at a side who will surely be feeling leggy after a monumental effort on Thursday night – with the knowledge that he has got the better of Howe before with the relentless press. An early goal by AFCB could be crucial – something they have managed in all three wins this season.

However, there is no doubting Newcastle’s quality, tired or not they are a fantastic side filled with top-class footballer’s, and AFCB will need to be at a very top level in order to get a result out of this one.

PREDICTION: AFC BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED