It was a 3-1 home defeat by Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth in March 2016 that marked the end of Steve McClaren’s Newcastle tenure, prefacing his replacement by Rafael Benítez. Now the man in charge is Steve Bruce who, despite years at assorted clubs, has never faced Bournemouth as a manager. Whatever the result, Bruce is highly unlikely to be dismissed but will nonetheless be happy when the impending international break is over. “I shouldn’t say it but a lot of managers think ‘I have to get past the international breaks’,” he said. “In October and November some of us think we’ve got past that hurdle of getting the sack.” Louise Taylor

Saturday 3pm

Venue St James’ Park

Last season Newcastle 2 Bournemouth 1

Referee Martin Atkinson

This season G10 Y31 R1 3.2 cards/game

Odds H 17-10 A 19-10 D 9-4

NEWCASTLE

Subs from Darlow, Manquillo, Krafth, Dummett, Ki, Gayle, Carroll, Muto, M Longstaff, Atsu

Doubtful None

Injured Lejeuene (knee, 25 Nov), Schär (knee, 25 Nov), Ritchie (ankle, unknown)

Suspended S Longstaff (second of three)

Discipline Y18 R2

Form DLWLDW

Leading scorer Shelvey 2

BOURNEMOUTH

Subs from Boruc, Travers, Stacey, Ibe, Simpson, Francis, Kelly, Mepham, Gosling, Danjuma, Dobre, Solanke

Doubtful None

Injured Brooks (ankle, 23 Nov), Surman (knee, 23 Nov), Daniels (knee), Stanislas (knee, both unknown)

Suspended Lerma (one match)

Discipline Y24 R0

Form WDLDDW

Leading scorer C Wilson 5