Newcastle United kick off their FA Cup campaign on Saturday afternoon, and we’ve been handed a tough task in the third round as we host fellow Premier League side Bournemouth.
We head into today’s tie off the back of three big wins against Burnley, Crystal Palace and Leeds, but Bournemouth are one of our bogey teams, even if they’ve only won one of their last 12 games.
Eddie Howe will know not to take his old club lightly, and wants to go as far as possible in all four major competitions this season, even with a huge Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Tuesday night to think about.
Here’s how the teams line up on a cold Saturday afternoon at St James’ Park:
Newcastle: Ramsdale – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Livramento – Willock, Ramsey, Tonali, – Wissa, Woltemade, Barnes
Subs: Pope, Hall, Joelinton, Gordon, A.Murphy, Bruno G, Neave, Miley, Alabi
Bournemouth: Petrovic – Smith, Diakite, Hill, Soler – Cook, Scott – Brooks, Adli, Kroupi Jr – Unal
There’s 7 changes by Howe to the team that beat Leeds 4-3 on Wednesday night, as Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade start together for the first time.
Sean Neave, who was absent from the U-21s game on Friday night, has been included in the squad amidst reports he could be sent out on loan this month in search of first team minutes.
Fellow youngster Sam Alabi is also included on the bench despite featuring against Middlesbrough U-21s less than 24 hours ago.
Dan Burn, Will Osula and Emil Krafth remain absent through injury, with Fabian Schar now joining them after he was stretchered off midweek: Sven Botman returns to the starting XI for the first time since early November.
Malick Thiaw keeps his place in the team, and he’ll be looking to bounce back from his shock display against Leeds. Sandro Tonali meanwhile retains his spot in the midfield.
Bournemouth are of course without star player Antoine Semenyo after the Ghanaian completed his transfer to Man City on Friday.
Justin Kluivert, who scored a hat trick when we hosted the Cherries here back in April, misses out as he is set to undergo knee surgery.
But the main threat is Eli Junior Kroupi, who is enjoying a brilliant breakout season and has scored in his last two games against Arsenal and Spurs.
A spot in the fourth round awaits as we hope to continue our winning start to 2026: Howay The Lads!
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