Because this current season is only the third season in which Bournemouth and Newcastle find themselves in the same division, there is very little to say in terms of the history in this fixture at Dean Court but an immediate positive is that Newcastle have a 100% record in the Premier League away at Bournemouth (and yes, I know it was after one game and there are more details on that to follow.

Saturday’s clash against the Cherries is really important match for us because we will go above Bournemouth if we come away with a win. In addition to this, if Watford and West Ham fail to beat Liverpool and Everton respectively, we will move into the top half of the table, a place where we have not been since November as we went into the reverse fixture against Bournemouth in ninth but ended the day in eleventh.

Facts and Figures

All Competitions

Bournemouth wins: 4

Newcastle wins: 3

Draws: 2

League

Bournemouth wins: 3

Newcastle wins: 2

Biggest win

Bournemouth 0 – 1 Newcastle United (07/11/2015)

This fixture back in November 2015 is the only occasion where Newcastle have come away with the win and this came on the fourth trip to Bournemouth, the first trip dating back to a League Cup tie in November 1963. This win was Steve McClaren’s first away win since becoming Newcastle manager as Ayoze Perez scored the only goal of the game in the 27th minute with his left foot.

Biggest defeats

Bournemouth 2 – 1 Newcastle (06/11/1963)

Bournemouth 2 – 1 Newcastle (09/09/1989)

It is a crazy situation down in the bottom half of the table especially considering that there are eleven games still to be played. We head into the match only two points off the relegation zone and yet we could end the day in the top half. It’s a situation where the nerves are shredding after every minute of football that gets played if you are in that mix but it must be really entertaining to watch from a neutral perspective. If West Brom manage to put up a bit of fight and recovery over the next few games, we could see a final day where the relegation places are still awaiting to be accounted for just like the thrilling final day of the 2004/05 season.

To finish off the article, I will conclude on a positive note with the good news that we currently have the best goal difference out of the bottom nine sides in the league. With the fight for survival being a closely monitored, goal difference could well be a deciding factor when the curtain closes on the season. In the present, it does feel like it is a warmly welcomed bonus.