The final away game of the season can have grave ramifications for West Ham United at the weekend. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men are heading towards St James’ Park with the threat of relegation back into the second tier very much in the air. The Hammers currently find themselves at 18th spot in the table, just two points behind Tottenham Hotspur in 17th.
Opposing them will be a mid-table Newcastle United side eager to finish off their up-and-down campaign on a high note. After already securing Premier League safety via a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest last time out, Eddie Howe’s 13th-placed Magpies now only have pride to play for and hope to put on an offensive show in their last game of the season at home.
FORM
- Newcastle United (LLLWD)
- West Ham United (WDWLL)
The hosts have shown signs of life recently, picking up four points from their last two matches. West Ham, meanwhile, arrive in a state of desperation, having failed to find the back of the net in consecutive games, most recently suffering a agonizing, VAR-shrouded 1-1 turned 1-0 defeat to league leaders Arsenal.
INSIGHTS
- The Lead-Dropping Kings: Eddie Howe can find out what’s wrong with his team by looking at one statistic alone. Newcastle are leading the league in dropping points from winning positions, with 27 points thrown away so far this season, and 20 goals have been conceded in the last 15 minutes of games.
- A Rare Double on the Cards: Although the odds seem stacked against West Ham at the bookies, there’s reason to believe in a comeback. Last season, W est Ham stunned Newcastle 2-0 on away turf last season, and in November, they dominated the Magpies 3-1. All it will take is a little more patience, and the Hammers will complete their third ever Premier League double against Newcastle.
- The St James’ Park Swansong: Kieran Trippier will be saying goodbye to the Magpies on Sunday night, as it’s rumoured that he’ll play his last home game as he exits Newcastle after the end of the season. Meanwhile, it seems like rumours are rife about Anthony Gordon, who is rumoured to have played his last game for Newcastle due to an injury that might stop him from joining Bayern Munich.
Team News
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe finds himself in a severe problem of having weak defenders and full-backs. First, Anthony Gordon is ruled out due to a hip injury. Second, Joelinton is very likely to be absent from the action because of a thigh injury suffered in the game against Forest. As for the defenders, Fabian Schär, Emil Krafth, and Tino Livramento are not likely to appear in the starting eleven. There is some good news; Lewis Hall has been training all week and can play. Trippier will be hoping to make an appearance off the bench for his swansong
Expected XI: Pope; Hall, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimarães, Ramsey, Woltemade, Barnes; Osula.
West Ham United
Unlike their hosts, Nuno Espírito Santo almost has a perfect bill of health as he gears up for this critical clash. West Ham United will be without their dynamic wingman Adama Traoré, who is out injured with a quad problem. Following the disappointment of Callum Wilson’s disallowed equalizer late on against Arsenal, expect an attacking mindset from the London club.
Expected XI: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Soucek, Fernandes; Bowen, Pablo, Summerville; Castellanos.
Prediction: 2-1 win for Newcastle United in a fiercely contested game. Though West Ham require more points than ever before, the abysmal away record of not scoring in the last three away games cannot be overlooked. Newcastle do not usually play defensive football and leak goals; however, the Hammers will finally get to their first away goal in this game. In 18 home games, Howe’s side have scored two goals in 13 of them.
