Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.
Chris Sutton speaking as United prepare to play their fourth match of the 2026/27 season. Newcastle United home to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
A 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday as Matthias Jaissle hopes to build on an opening week that saw United win two games against West Brom and Spurs, plus so unlucky not to also get a deserved win against Liverpool on the opening day of the season.
Interesting to look back at what Chris Sutton said before the first two Newcastle United Premier League matches.
The BBC Sport pundit confidently predicted a 3-1 defeat for Newcastle United against Liverpool: “I don’t think Liverpool will have any problems up front…Alexander Isak will get quite a reception – and not in a good way – from the home crowd but I do think he will shine for Liverpool this year, starting on Sunday.”
Ahead of Newcastle at Tottenham, Chris Sutton stated it would be a 2-1 home victory: “I’m going to go for a Spurs win but I couldn’t tell you why.”
The BBC Sport pundit now seeing things a little differently as Newcastle United prepare to take on Bournemouth tomorrow: “Newcastle United have started the season superbly with four points, and it feels like they have changed the mood at St James’ Park after a difficult summer. There’s no doom and gloom about the place despite them losing several key players and, after predicting they would lose their first two games, I feel differently about their prospects now. Things can change very quickly of course and a home defeat by Bournemouth would see a lot of that optimism disappear. But, so far, I’ve been really impressed by Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa looks like he has got his confidence back.”
Chris Sutton adding: “I like the way new manager Matthias Jaissle has set them up to hit teams on the counter-attack, and Nico Gonzalez looks like a sensible signing too. I called Newcastle ‘a development club’ before their first game, because of the type of players they have bought and sold this summer, but while their midfield is quite youthful, they have now got Nico in there to give them a bit of extra clout.”
Sutton predicts a 2-1 win for Newcastle United but at the same time states: “This is still a tricky game to call, however. Bournemouth haven’t won yet, but only because they have let leads slip away late on, first against Manchester City and then at home to Everton. Cherries boss Marco Rose is another manager who likes to play on the front foot and they are certainly capable of getting something here, even though I have gone for a home win.”
Hopefully Chris Sutton has finally called a Newcastle United result correctly this season.
It would be a huge result against a dangerous Bournemouth side and after what looked a tough opening trio of Premier League fixtures, if United can head into the following three against Leeds, Hull and Coventry with seven points already banked, a seriously good start to the season could be within our grasp.