Pundit makes bold Newcastle United prediction ahead of crunch clash against Bournemouth

Writing for BBC Sport, pundit Mark Lawrenson has suggested the Magpies will put any fears of relegation to bed, by securing a 0-0 draw with the struggling south coast side.

He wrote: "Newcastle didn't turn up in the first half against Manchester City and it was probably just as well there were no fans inside St James' Park because they would have been howling about that.

"They were better in the second half but there's still no way that they could say they deserved to go through and they did not really even have a proper go at City."

Lawro continued: "Staying up was the aim for the season, though, and they probably need one more point to be sure of doing that. I think they will get it on Wednesday.

"Magpies boss Steve Bruce will play his best team this time and Bournemouth have lost both of their games since the restart and are all over the place. The only positive thing for the Cherries so far is that everyone else around them, apart from Brighton, have not picked up many points either."

Meanwhile, Lawro's opponent for the midweek matches, grime MC Big Zuu, tipped the Magpies to win 2-1, and said: "I would give this one to Newcastle. I am not sure Bournemouth have got that fight they need, and they have not been too convincing for a while."