Newcastle United reveal official reason Bruno Guimaraes is benched v Bournemouth in the Premier League
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has taken Bruno Guimaraes out the Magpies’ starting XI at Bournemouth - and here’s why.
It’s not often you see a Newcastle united starting XI without Bruno Guimaraes in it.
But, just days after the Champions League loss v Barcelona, Bruno has been taken out the team for the Premier League encounter at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.
And Eddie Howe - who made seven changes to his side on the south coast, has explained why to Sky Sports.
He said: “We have made every decision individually. We have looked at every player's load and try to make the right decision for the team today, so we have got fresh energy as we know this is going to be a high energy game and we have to be ready for the match.”
Why Bruno Guimaraes is on the bench for NUFC
On Bruno, he added: “It was a tough call because he has been an ever-present and so important for us. He has really done the miles - and I mean air miles. He played for Brazil, played at altitude. He came back very tired. Did well for us in the Wolves game, and Barcelona. But here was a quick turnaround, so we thought for Bruno's sake, it is a long season, and we need to look after him.
“We have got real flexibility in our line-up, and have got really good players coming in. We have to match Bournemouth's intensity. They want the ball in play as much as possible, so do we, so it should make for a great game.”
Newcastle United at Bournemouth: team news
Newcastle United confirmed starting XI v AFC Bournemouth: Bruno Guimaraes among seven changes.
Eddie Howe has made seven changes to his Newcastle United starting XI for this afternoon’s Premier League clash away at AFC Bournemouth (kick-off 2pm).
The Magpies were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona in the Champions League less than 72 hours ago, forcing Howe to heavily rotate his line-up for the long trip to the South Coast.
United are without Anthony Gordon through suspension, while Fabian Schar, Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey are injured.
Malick Thiaw makes his debut following his £35million move from AC Milan in the summer, while Lewis Hall, Joe Willock and Lewis Miley make their first starts of the 2025-26 campaign.
But the biggest news is Howe’s decision to bench Bruno Guimaraes alongside fellow Brazilian Joelinton, which eneds a run of 68 consecutive Premier League starts for United’s skipper.
It appears Howe has gone with five at the back for a second away game, with Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Thiaw as the centre-backs, and Tino Livramento and Hall as the wing-backs.
Sandro Tonali and Miley partner each other in midfield, with Willock and Jacob Murphy providing further width as Nick Woltemade lines up as the central striker.