- West Ham play Newcastle United on Sunday
- The Hammers have to win to make sure they will not be relegated before the final day
- The games kicks-off at 5:30PM BST
West Ham United head to the north east to take on Newcastle United on Sunday. The Hammers are two points from safety in the Premier League and know they have to win to guarantee that the survival fight will go down to the final day.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were rightly upset with a VAR decision that ruled out their equaliser against Arsenal last week, but now have to pick themselves up quickly. Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United means West Ham are still in the fight, but they have to take their opportunities.
Newcastle United haven’t had the campaign they would have liked. Eddies Howe’s men were hoping to qualify for Europe once again, but instead languish in 13th, nine points below the top seven. They head into this game on the back of 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest but are yet to show any sign of form.
The Hammers know this is a must win game, and given their recent results against the Magpies, know they can go to St James Park and get that win.
Key Statistics
- Newcastle United have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (27)
- West Ham sit two points behind Tottenham Hotspur with two games left of the season
- Newcastle United have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 league fixtures
- West Ham won 2-0 on their last trip to St James Park
- Newcastle United’s Harvey Barnes has been involved in 21 goals this season
- West Ham’s Tomas Soucek has score more goals against Newcastle Untied than any other Premier League side (5)
Prediction
Here, a handful of our writers give their predictions for the game…
Matt Bottomley
“I predicted West Ham to win this game in what feels like a long time ago. I still have faith in this West Ham side, but it’s a hard job to pick them up from the Arsenal heartbreak. Newcastle United aren’t fantastic, but they’re now slouch. Nuno and his Hammers have to show the resilience once more if they want to win here.
“Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have missed out on a lot of things this year, but still possess bags of quality. Where they have struggled significantly is under pressure and that is exactly what the Irons have to do, get on them early. It will be a fight, but this is a game Nuno’s men can win, and have to.
“I’m believing in this one, West Ham win.”
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 West Ham
Ralphael Adelugba
“Last week, ahead of the Arsenal game, I stated that history was against West Ham. The Hammers’ position in the relegation zone is becoming increasingly indefensible. That said, Tottenham Hotspur’s slip-up on Monday night against Leeds United, once again, offers Nuno Espírito Santo’s side a chance to exit the bottom three if they were to win at St James’ Park – easier said than done.
“West Ham were courageous against Arsenal, evidently showing a clear belief that they believe the perseverance of their Premier League status remains possible. It is now time to turn that promise into production, with the opportunity to break their barren two-game run against a side that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in their last seven games.
“Newcastle are always up for a fight, but with practically nothing to play for, the onus is on West Ham to take the game to the Magpies and do so early. “
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 West Ham
