Saturday will throw up an early-season six-pointer at Dean Court when Bournemouth and Newcastle United do battle for a much-needed victory.
The Magpies, one point and one place behind Eddie Howe's troops in 17th, are vying for just a second Premier League win for what has been a baptism of fire for United boss Steve McClaren.
Bournemouth
© Getty Images
Bournemouth produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance the day after Halloween in last Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Southampton. For the first half, Howe's side looked every inch the Premier League new boys that they are. After the break, though, they did enough to suggest that they may just defy their pre-season tag of relegation favourites.
They shipped two first-half goals - two completely avoidable goals at that - but it was a second-half onslaught that somehow yielded nothing tangible. Despite their dominance, there was a glaring lack of cutting edge in the final third and that is a major concern.
Without Callum Wilson - who scored five Premier League goals before his season-ending injury in September - the Cherries' top-flight status looks perishable, with Glenn Murray offering little to nothing at St Mary's last weekend.
However, it is Bournemouth's home form that could prove key for them this season. One of their two Premier League victories came at Dean Court - a 2-0 win over struggling Sunderland. They have lost two and drawn two of their five home games and that is something that needs addressing - and fast.
Tottenham Hotspur ran riot and left the South Coast with a 5-1 win last time out. There have been problems at both ends of the field for Howe and co this season, but the young manager will demand that his side reproduce their second-half showing at Southampton over 90 minutes tomorrow.
They face Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton over the coming weeks in a run of games which could quite easily yield zero points. Bournemouth need to be less Jekyll and more Hyde in order to win this relegation battle, and their performance on Saturday may prove whether or not they have the appetite for it.
Recent form: WLDLLL
Recent form (all competitions): LDLLLLL
Newcastle United
© Getty Images
It has been less than 20 days since Newcastle United secured their first - and only - Premier League win of the season by beating Norwich City 6-2.
Four-goal Georginio Wijnaldum was the star of the show as the Magpies obliterated Norwich in a performance that was supposed to be a watershed moment in an otherwise dismal season. It has not quite worked out that way, however.
Seven days after that, Newcastle travelled to bitter rivals Sunderland and lost 3-0 - albeit in controversial fashion, with Fabricio Coloccini harshly sent off on the stroke of half time, before the Black Cats made the most of their man advantage.
It has been a case of one step forward and several back for Newcastle, who then drew 0-0 at home to Stoke City last weekend. Visiting goalkeeper Jack Butland was the man of the match, which contextualises the hosts' dominance, but there was a lack of killer instinct from McClaren and co.
With their squad, there is a sense that they are good enough to be battling for a top-10 finish but, with seven points out of a possible 33, the Magpies are nowhere near the top half and there is precious little evidence of that changing.
Having been relegated from the Premier League in 2009, Newcastle know more than most that no team is ever too good for relegation - and this one is no exception.
Recent form: LDLWLD
Recent form (all competitions):
Team News
© Getty Images
Goalkeeper Artur Boruc and defender Steve Cook are expected to miss out again after missing the previous two games with injury.
However, Junior Stanislas impressed off the bench in the defeat to Southampton and could be handed a recall come Saturday.
For Newcastle, McClaren has been boosted by the news that second-choice goalkeeper Rob Elliot is fit to continue in the absence of Tim Krul.
The 29-year-old sat out a few training sessions during the week with a thigh injury, but McClaren will have Elliot at his disposal for the trip to the South Coast.
In his pre-match press conference, the United boss revealed that he had a "few injuries" to unspecified players, but Daryl Janmaat is fit.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Federici; Smith, Francis, Distin, Daniels; Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Arter, Stanislas; King
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Anita, Tiote, Wijnaldum, Perez; Mitrovic
Head To Head
Saturday's meeting will be the first top-flight clash between the pair - and the first match in any competition since 1992 when Bournemouth eliminated the Magpies from the FA Cup in a third-round penalty shootout scalp. United have won just two of the five meetings between both sides.
Video Preview
Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Bournemouth 2-1 Newcastle United
In the first half at Southampton last week, a lifeless Bournemouth gave rise to suggestions that they could well be in trouble this season. However, Howe's men were markedly better after the break - albeit with a lack of cutting edge up front - but it was a second-half performance which would have renewed optimism. They will not go down without a fight and we expect them to come out swinging on Saturday.
Shane Callaghan
