BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson has issued a stern warning to Newcastle United over the talents of Callum Wilson in a prediction for the Magpies’ clash against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The two sides both go into the game on the south coast off the back of victory, Newcastle having come from behind to beat Everton at St James’ Park while Eddie Howe’s men saw off Huddersfield.
With Wilson having scored against the Terriers, Lawrenson insisted he made a huge difference to Bournemouth’s chances and expects him to seal the three points again.
Predicting a 2-0 victory for the Cherries, he wrote in his BBC Sport column: “Newcastle have taken a lot of pressure off themselves with their great comeback to beat Everton last weekend, because they are now six points clear of the relegation zone.
“Bournemouth won too, against Huddersfield, after a run of four defeats and a draw in their previous five games. Callum Wilson scored for the Cherries after returning from injury, and they are much more dangerous when he is in the team.”
Opinion
Lawrenson does not need to tell Newcastle about how dangerous Wilson can be – you do not get called into the England squad for being a bang average player. However, the Magpies have managed to shut him out in the three games he has played against them and you can be sure manager Rafael Benitez will have a plan to silence him once again on Saturday. Three points would see Newcastle leapfrog their south coast rivals and take a huge step towards Premier League safety and based on their form, you would not be wise to rule them out so easily. Like Wilson for Bournemouth, Salomon Rondon has been a bully up front for the Magpies and he is a difficult man to keep quiet for the 90 minutes. The way he brings the likes of Ayoze Perez and Miguel Almiron into play is remarkable and do not bet on the home side having it all their own way on Saturday.