‘I don’t see’: Paul Merson now predicts who will win on Saturday – Bournemouth or Newcastle

Paul Merson has made his score prediction for Saturday's Eddie Howe Derby as Newcastle United travel to Bournemouth.

In the past this would be a 'nothing' fixture, but with the former Bournemouth contingent now at Newcastle it has a bit of extra flavour about it.

Eddie Howe takes his Newcastle side back to the South Coast to inflict more misery on Bournemouth who are really struggling to get going this season. But that's what you get for sacking a good manager after he keeps you in the league.

Paul Merson is expecting goals down at Bournemouth

Writing in his weekly column for Sportskeeda, Paul Merson has gone quite frisky with his score prediction.

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If Newcastle were at full strength, we could see this being a wipeout, but with all the injuries and fatigued players it may not be so straightforward.

Paul Merson doesn't believe it will be a problem at all, though.

Merson predicts a comfortable win for Newcastle

"Newcastle have played some tough games already this season. They have squared off against some top teams in the early stages of the new campaign. Their fixtures haven't been too kind. Meanwhile, the likes of Arsenal, and Manchester City have had a decent mix of fixtures.

"But for the Magpies, it has been a patch of really tough games followed by rather easy ones. So when they're up against it, they are really up against it. Bournemouth are not playing well this season.

"They got pummelled by Manchester City last weekend and I don't see them posing much threat to Newcastle this weekend.

"Prediction: Bournemouth 0-3 Newcastle United"

We'd be buzzing if Merse is right. A comfortable win like this is exactly what we need after Wednesday.

Kick-off for this game is 5:30 pm on Saturday 11th November.