FIFA 18 simulation: 2/24 Newcastle United vs. Bournemouth

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United and Charlie Daniels of AFC Bournemouth in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth at St. James Park on November 4, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United and Charlie Daniels of AFC Bournemouth in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth at St. James Park on November 4, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

FIFA 18 gives us a preview of today’s Newcastle United vs. Bournemouth fixture.

Before the clubs meet later today, FIFA 18 gave us an early look at how Newcastle United vs. Bournemouth could play out.

The Newcastle United lineup was a compilation of our staff’s lineup projections. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, the squad was Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Diame, Shelvey; Kenedy, Perez, Ritchie; Joselu. Bournemouth lined up the same way they did in their last fixture, a loss to Huddersfield Town.

A couple bad giveaways, one by Joselu and one from Kenedy, ended positive Newcastle United attacks early on. It took until the 33rd minute for a shot to be registered. That was a sky-high attempt on the volley from Matt Ritchie. Ayoze Perez forced a save in the 42nd minute with a curling effort from the edge of the area. The best chance of the first half found Jonjo Shelvey rolling a shot wide from a few feet in front of the goal. Newcastle United led in possession and shots at the break.

Related Story: What to watch for vs. Bournemouth

Jordan Ibe put a shot on frame in the 67th minute, but Martin Dubravka made an easy save in his first action of the match. Dwight Gayle and Jacob Murphy came on as a double substitution in the 72nd minute. Shelvey made a crucial tackle of Callum Wilson before he could fire a shot from close range in the 80th minute. Neither club could find a decent chance the rest of the way or a winner. Newcastle United held 56% of the ball and led on shots four to one in the scoreless draw.