Newcastle vs West Ham Preview
- Newcastle to win
- Both teams to score
Monday night brings an exciting Premier League clash under the lights at St James’ Park as Newcastle United aim to continue their resurgence with a third consecutive league win.
Standing in their way are West Ham United, a side struggling to find form and facing mounting pressure.
Newcastle United: Momentum Amidst High Expectations
After a mixed start to the season (W5, D3, L3), Newcastle United have started to find their rhythm under Eddie Howe.
Heading into this fixture, the Magpies are on a two-match winning streak, and a third victory would mark their best run since September 2023.
Despite some inconsistencies, Newcastle have matched their points tally at this stage of the 2022/23 campaign, a season that saw them secure Champions League football.
A key strength for Newcastle this season has been their ability to hold onto leads. They are one of only two Premier League teams yet to drop points from a winning position, and they’ve won their last ten league matches after taking the lead.
This resilience will be crucial as they aim to climb the table and keep their European ambitions alive.
West Ham United: Under Pressure
West Ham United enter this game under significant pressure, with manager Julen Lopetegui reportedly given just two matches to save his job. The Hammers have endured a poor start to the season (W3, D3, L5), which has left them languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Their defensive frailties are particularly concerning, having managed only two clean sheets in their last 28 away Premier League games while conceding an average of 2.4 goals per match during that run.
Adding to their woes, West Ham have failed to find the back of the net in their last two league outings, as many times as they had in their previous 14 games combined.
Historically, West Ham have struggled against Newcastle, winning just one of their last ten head-to-head encounters (D4, L5). Given their current form, turning the tide against a confident Newcastle side looks like a daunting task.
Key Players to Watch
Newcastle United: Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has been a thorn in West Ham’s side, scoring five goals in three meetings against the Hammers, including braces in his last two appearances.
With a joint-career high tally against this opponent, Isak’s clinical finishing and movement will be crucial in unlocking a vulnerable West Ham defence.
West Ham United: Mohamed Kudus
Mohamed Kudus has shown glimpses of his potential for West Ham, scoring his first Premier League goal against Newcastle earlier this year.
More recently, he contributed to goals on either side of halftime in their last away meeting with the Magpies. If West Ham are to cause an upset, Kudus’ creativity and attacking flair will be key.
Tactical Analysis
Newcastle are likely to stick to their high-energy approach, combining aggressive pressing with swift transitions.
Their solid defensive organisation and the creativity of Bruno Guimarães in midfield will provide a strong platform for Isak and their attacking unit to thrive.
West Ham, on the other hand, may look to sit deep and hit Newcastle on the counterattack, relying on the pace of Kudus and Jarrod Bowen.
However, their defensive lapses and lack of recent goalscoring form could make this approach difficult to execute effectively.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 West Ham
Given Newcastle’s momentum, their excellent record when taking the lead, and West Ham’s defensive vulnerabilities, the Magpies are clear favourites to win this encounter.
West Ham may find the net through moments of individual brilliance, but Newcastle’s overall quality and confidence should see them claim all three points comfortably.
With St James’ Park roaring under the floodlights, expect Newcastle to deliver a performance that keeps their European dreams on track while further piling the pressure on Julen Lopetegui.
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Newcastle v West Ham, 2024/25 | Premier League