Newcastle United is set to face AFC Bournemouth today in a Premier League clash on the south coast. The Magpies, led by head coach Eddie Howe, will need to make at least one change to their starting lineup from last weekend's win, as they are without suspended defender Fabian Schar. Schar begins his three-game suspension following an altercation with Southampton's Ben Brereton-Diaz, prompting Howe to make a key decision regarding his replacement.
Eddie Howe's Selection Dilemma
With Fabian Schar unavailable, Eddie Howe has a couple of options to consider. Emil Krafth, who filled in on the right side of central defense in the previous match and helped secure a clean sheet against Southampton, is a strong candidate. However, new signing Lloyd Kelly, who made his debut for Newcastle United as a substitute last weekend, is also pushing for a starting spot. Today’s match marks Kelly's return to his former club, Bournemouth, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his potential selection.
In addition to Schar's absence, Newcastle will be without Sandro Tonali, who is serving the final game of his 10-month ban. Among the injured players—Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Callum Wilson, and Lewis Miley—only Callum Wilson is nearing a return. While he may feature in next weekend's game against Tottenham Hotspur, it is more likely that he will make his comeback after the upcoming international break.
As a result, Howe will rely on the same squad from last weekend’s victory, minus Schar, with no new signings yet added to the roster. The full squad list for today's match includes Pope, Dubravka, Vlachodimos, Trippier, Livramento, Krafth, Kelly, Burn, Hall, Targett, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Willock, Murphy, Barnes, Almiron, Gordon, Isak, and Osula.
Eddie Howe's Approach and Strategy
Eddie Howe acknowledges the challenge that lies ahead against AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. "We're not fooled by how difficult this game can be, especially at the Vitality Stadium," Howe commented. "We need to be better than we were on the road last season. This is our first challenge in trying to hit that target for us."
With the Newcastle United squad facing a stern test away from home, all eyes will be on Howe's tactical decisions and how the team adapts to the absence of key players. The match promises to be a crucial test of the Magpies' depth and resilience as they aim to continue their winning momentum in the Premier League.
