Newcastle United is set to face West Ham United at St James’ Park on Monday in a Premier League clash.
Newcastle enters the match with momentum from a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in their last outing. They dominated possession with 56% and managed 17 shots on goal, six of which were on target.
Goals from Alexander Isak, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes secured the victory, while Forest’s Murillo scored the only goal for his team. Defensively, Newcastle has been strong, conceding only four goals in their last six matches. Additionally, they have not lost in their last five league games against West Ham.
West Ham, meanwhile, comes off a 0-0 draw with Everton. They held 49% possession and had 11 shots on goal, six on target.
However, their defense has been less impressive, allowing 10 goals in their last six matches. They have also struggled in away games, failing to win their last four league matches on the road.
In their recent encounters, Newcastle has the upper hand with two wins in the last five meetings, while West Ham has won once, and three games have ended in draws.
These matchups have been high-scoring, with 27 goals in the last five games, averaging 4.5 goals per game. The last meeting in March 2024 saw Newcastle edge out a 4-3 victory.
For Newcastle, manager Eddie Howe will have to cope without Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, Sven Botman, and Emil Krafth due to injuries. They are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with players like Nick Pope, Fabian Schär, Bruno Guimarães, Alexander Isak, and Joelinton likely to start.
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has a nearly full-strength squad, except for Niclas Füllkrug, who is out with an Achilles injury. West Ham is expected to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Michail Antonio among others.
Prediction
The match is anticipated to be tough for West Ham, as Newcastle’s potent attack and sturdy defense make them the favorites. A 3-0 win for Newcastle is predicted, with experts also expecting under 3.5 goals in the game.
