It was a 3-1 home defeat by Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth in March 2016 that marked the end of Steve McClaren’s Newcastle tenure, prefacing his replacement by Rafael Benítez. Now the man in charge is Steve Bruce who, despite years at assorted clubs, has never faced Bournemouth as a manager. Whatever the result, Bruce is highly unlikely to be dismissed but will nonetheless be happy when the impending international break is over. “I shouldn’t say it but a lot of managers think ‘I have to get past the international breaks’,” he said. “In October and November some of us think we’ve got past that hurdle of getting the sack.” Louise Taylor
Saturday 3pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle 2 Bournemouth 1
Referee Martin Atkinson
This season G10 Y31 R1 3.2 cards/game
Odds H 17-10 A 19-10 D 9-4
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Darlow, Manquillo, Krafth, Dummett, Ki, Gayle, Carroll, Muto, M Longstaff, Atsu
Doubtful None
Injured Lejeuene (knee, 25 Nov), Schär (knee, 25 Nov), Ritchie (ankle, unknown)
Suspended S Longstaff (second of three)
Discipline Y18 R2
Form DLWLDW
Leading scorer Shelvey 2
BOURNEMOUTH
Subs from Boruc, Travers, Stacey, Ibe, Simpson, Francis, Kelly, Mepham, Gosling, Danjuma, Dobre, Solanke
Doubtful None
Injured Brooks (ankle, 23 Nov), Surman (knee, 23 Nov), Daniels (knee), Stanislas (knee, both unknown)
Suspended Lerma (one match)
Discipline Y24 R0
Form WDLDDW
Leading scorer C Wilson 5
