Chris Sutton namedrops Bruno Guimaraes in ‘tough’ Bournemouth v Newcastle United prediction

Former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton believes Newcastle United will have to come through a difficult challenge if they are to take all three points from their long trip to Bournemouth.

The Cherries have endured an underwhelming run of form with two wins in the space of four days against Everton preceding a run of nine games without a win in any competition. That has left Gary O’Neil’s side languishing in the Premier League relegation zone as the current Cherries manager prepares to face one of his predecessors at the Vitality Stadium.

For United boss Eddie Howe, the game marks his first return to the club he helped escape relegation into non-league football in 2009 before they embarked on a remarkable rise up the football pyramid that culminated in a five-year stay in the Premier League between 2015 and 2020.

Howe will hope the Magpies can claim a win over his former employers and boost their chances of securing a first return to Champions League football since 2003 - and Sutton believes the United boss will get his way.

He told BBC Sport: “Bournemouth are absolutely desperate for a win because right now they look like relegation fodder with the awful run of results they have been on. The Cherries actually performed well against Brighton last weekend, and only went down to a late goal. I also like the look of their new signing, Dango Ouattara, who gives them a threat in that wide area on the right-hand side.

“I can see them giving Newcastle a good game, but I still think the Magpies will win on Eddie Howe’s return to his former club. I don’t think there will be a lot of goals, but Newcastle are a well-balanced side who have found the knack of getting the job done and, even with Bruno Guimaraes suspended, they should take home the points.”