West Ham will look to retain their top four position with a victory, as they travel to Tyneside to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday.
As the Hammers approach the run-in for their season, their European football hopes are now becoming an even more probable reality. Their next hurdle arrives in the form of a Newcastle United side with equal hunger for victory.
Last Time Out
After fellow top four challengers, Chelsea, maintained their pursuit with a 4-1 win away to Crystal Palace, West Ham responded well with a 3-2 win at home to Leicester City.
Newcastle recorded their first Premier League win in eight games, with a 2-1 victory against Burnley – a game which saw Allan Saint-Maximin emerge as a standout influence.
The Hammers will need to produce another determined display on Saturday, as Newcastle will take some newly regained confidence from the Burnley win, going into this clash.
Team News
Aaron Cresswell (thigh) and Mark Noble (arm) both sustained knocks in West Ham’s previous game against Leicester, meaning both players are doubts for the trip to Newcastle.
Michail Antonio (thigh) missed the Leicester victory through injury, so he is also doubtful.
Angelo Ogbonna (ankle), Manuel Lanzini (groin), Darren Randolph (hip), Andriy Yarmolenko (knee) and Declan Rice (knee), are all out.
Newcastle captain, Jamaal Lascelles, has sustained a fracture to his foot – an injury which is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the season.
Ryan Fraser (groin) and Fabian Schar (knee) are expected to miss the game through injury, with Isaac Hayden (knee) ruled out for the rest of the season.
Game Plan
West Ham have scored two or more goals in four out of their last six Premier League matches.
They have proved to be sharpshooters in front of goal, with Jesse Lingard and Jarrod Bowen both frequently finding their shooting boots of late.
However, despite their proficiency in front of goal, the Hammers have struggled with keeping the ball out of their own net.
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in all of their last six Premier League games, conceding at least two goals in four of them.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his side’s win against Leicester, David Moyes appreciated the victory but was less pleased with the goal leakage in defence.
Moyes: “I’m disappointed with the way we finished the game. We’ve got to get out of the habit of going 3-0 up and conceding goals.
“That’s really important and we’ve got to do something about it. But overall, I’m thrilled with the results we’re getting”, he said.
Newcastle have only won once in their last six Premier League games but despite this record, they have proved they can always pop-up with a goal, having scored in five out of their last six.
West Ham will need to keep their concentration up to return to the capital with a desired result on Saturday, as their somewhat leaky defence could provide opportunities for a Newcastle side who have a sting in them.
Predicted Line-ups
Newcastle: Dubravka; Murphy, Fernandez, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie; Almiron, Shelvey, S. Longstaff; Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Balbuena, Masuaku; Johnson, Soucek; Fornals; Bowen, Lingard.
Where to Watch
To see the Hammers in action, tune in to Sky Sports Premier League.
To follow the game via radio, tune in to talkSPORT.
Kick-off: 12:30pm
