Newcastle host Bournemouth looking to cement their new-look project

Four points from a possible six and a lopsided road win over Tottenham. That's how Newcastle arrive at this Saturday's match, with the sense that the new project, featuring plenty of fresh faces in the squad, is beginning to take shape. Waiting for them will be a Bournemouth side that's also a work in progress, though for different reasons: the Cherries have moved on from the Andoni Iraola era and are still searching for their identity under new management.

The match kicks off this Saturday, September 5 at St. James' Park, for matchday 3 of the 2026/2027 Premier League season. Kickoff times for South America are as follows: 8:30 a.m. in Argentina and Uruguay, and 6:30 a.m. in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru. The broadcast will be available through the Disney+ Premium Plan, exclusive to the region.

How Newcastle and Bournemouth arrive

Eddie Howe's team had to rebuild a good chunk of its roster in the transfer market, but the start of the season has been anything but bad. They drew in their opener against defending champions Liverpool, then delivered a statement win, beating Tottenham 2-0 on the road. That's 4 points from a possible 6, a tally that invites optimism ahead of hosting the Cherries.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, are still trying to fit the pieces together. They opened with a loss to reigning champions Manchester City, then salvaged a 1-1 draw against Everton in matchday two. The numbers are modest, though not entirely surprising for a club that changed managers over the summer and needs time to adjust to the new coaching staff's ideas.

The recent head-to-head record favors the visitors: in the 2025/26 season, Bournemouth took all three points at St. James' Park with a 2-1 win. That result carries weight, especially since it shows the Cherries hold no reverential fear of the Magpies' home turf.

Will Newcastle's strong start be enough to dictate terms at home? Home advantage and the confidence boost from beating a direct rival for European spots like Tottenham both favor Howe's men. But early-season English football tends to produce surprises, and a Bournemouth side hungry for three points could prove a tough nut to crack.

It will also be the first match of Saturday's slate, giving the fixture extra appeal for those looking to kick off the Premier League matchday early. Two teams in the midst of transformation, with different goals as the season progresses, will meet in a clash that could help set the tone for both clubs in the weeks ahead.