The State of Play
Newcastle United have been the ‘entertainers’ in the Premier League with their 28 matches so far this season consisting of 3.82 goals per game. The Magpies have managed just one victory inside 90 minutes in their last six matches across all competitions and have endured what is generally an underwhelming campaign but they are still in contention for a potential top seven or eight finish in the Premier League and potential European qualification.
The supporters of their opponents, West Ham United, would have you believe they are also enduring an underwhelming season, too, but the Irons are instead actually beginning this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting seventh in the table with a UEFA Europa League quarter-final to look forward to. David Moyes’ men have suffered just one loss, a first-leg defeat to Freiburg in the UEL which they overturned, in their last six matches.
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Team News
Newcastle will point towards lots of injury issues as a reason for their supposed underperformance. Goalkeeper Nick Pope is still missing alongside the likes of Joelinton and Sven Botman, whilst Sandro Tonali could well be facing an extension to his current ban.
West Ham United will be without key midfielder, Mexico international Edson Alvarez, as his tenth yellow card of the season means he will miss the next two matches. Both Mohammed Kudus and Maxwel Cornet are doubtful, too.
Expected Line-ups
Newcastle United: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Isak, Barrnes
West Ham United: Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson; Soucek, Phillips; Bowen, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Antonio
What they Said
Eddie Howe said ‘we have ten massive games left and we are only a few points below seventh place, so we’re looking to end the season on a high’ after their 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the cup last week.
In the aftermath of their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa before the international break, David Moyes was keen to heap the praise on his squad saying ‘I take great pride in these players.’
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at St James’ Park at 12:30 on Saturday March 30th and will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK. It will also be able to be streamed live via the TNT Sports app in the UK.
Prediction
This one has the potential to be an absolute thriller at St James’ Park on Saturday. With nearly four goals per game in matches involving Newcastle, that is almost always the case anyway but they now come up against a West Ham side that will play efficiently and effectively on the counter attack. As a result, a high-scoring encounter seems very likely once again this weekend.
