Newcastle United have an outside chance of winning the title – BBC Sport pundit | OneFootball

Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Saturday afternoon at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players looking to make it ten  wins in a row.

Twenty six goals and nine very good performances, overwhelming Leicester, Brentford, Ipswich, Aston Villa, Man U, Spurs, Arsenal, Bromley and Wolves.

Bournemouth are now up next.

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 17 January 2025:

“No one was talking about Newcastle winning the title at the start of December, but now they just need to hang on in there.

“I don’t think it is going to happen but they have an outside chance.

“If they keep winning, let’s see where it takes them.

“This is a hard one, because Newcastle are on such a brilliant run but Bournemouth have not lost for a long time, either.

“The Cherries are 10 games unbeaten, since 23 November, while Newcastle would set a new club record of 10 wins in a row in all competitions if they beat them.

“Magpies boss Howe has never beaten his old team in five attempts in the Premier League since he came to St James’ Park in 2021, but I am expecting that to change on Saturday.

“Bournemouth will score and they are very capable of nicking a victory here, but Newcastle have momentum and belief and they also have Alexander Isak, who is absolutely flying at the moment.

“Prediction: Newcastle 2 Bournemouth 1”

I find it difficult to disagree with most of that from the BBC Sport pundit.

Chris Sutton has been consistent with his Newcastle United predictions, that is consistently positive and correct, unlike most others.

For example, he has correctly forecast the Premier League wins over Villa, Man U, Spurs and Wolves in recent weeks.

I am certainly not thinking this is going to be easy against Bournemouth but the BBC Sport pundit fails to point out that whilst the Cherries are indeed unbeaten in their last ten matches, they have only won one of their last four Premier League games, two of their last six PL matches.

The draw at Chelsea was achieved in midweek despite overwhelming stats in the home side’s favour.

Whilst reading what Bournemouth fans are saying ahead of Saturday, there appears to be a lot of concern that this might be a game too far with so many players out injured. Andoni Iraola confirmed today that at least nine Bournemouth players will be missing against Newcastle United, includiing their two strikers.

As for Newcastle under Eddie Howe not winning against Bournemouth in the Premier League, the overall record (all competitions under Howe) is actually one win for NUFC and one for Bournemouth, with four draws.

Newcastle have a number of players missing through injury and Fabian Schar could be ruled out as well due to illness. However, if Newcastle can put out the same kind of team as Wednesday night against Wolves, I’m confident NUFC can make it 10 wins in a row.

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)