Newcastle United welcome Bournemouth to St James’ Park on Saturday with a place in the FA Cup fourth round at stake.
The tie carries an added layer of intrigue for Eddie Howe as he faces the club he led to promotion and consolidation in the Premier League before his move to Tyneside.
This will be just the third FA Cup meeting between the two sides, with the previous encounters split evenly, underlining how little separates them historically in the competition.
Newcastle approach the contest encouraged by a recent upturn in form that has steadied their season and restored confidence around St James’ Park.
The Magpies have won their last three matches in all competitions, a run capped by a dramatic midweek Premier League victory that showcased both resilience and attacking edge.
That result also extended Newcastle’s unbeaten home run to 12 matches, reinforcing the sense that St James’ Park is once again becoming a difficult place for visiting sides.
The FA Cup has rarely been kind to Newcastle in recent decades, with the club still chasing a first triumph since 1955 and having suffered several early exits in recent seasons.
They have also failed to beat Premier League opposition in the third round since 2011, a record that adds pressure to deliver a more convincing cup performance this time.
Bournemouth arrive on Tyneside relieved rather than relaxed after finally ending a prolonged winless run with victory in their last league outing.
That result eased the pressure on Andoni Iraola’s side and provided a timely reminder of the quality that had deserted them during a difficult spell.
The Cherries will be eager to show that win was a turning point rather than a brief respite, particularly as they chase consistency away from home.
Bournemouth have recorded just one away win all season, although their FA Cup record on the road offers encouragement, with four consecutive away victories in the competition.
They also reached the quarter-finals last season and will view this tie as another opportunity to measure their progress.
Recent meetings favour the visitors, who are unbeaten in six matches against Newcastle, including a goalless draw earlier this campaign.
Newcastle will take confidence from the fact their last knockout meeting with Bournemouth ended in victory in the League Cup.
With both sides carrying reasons for optimism and concerns rooted in recent history, this should be a finely balanced tie.
