Premier League | Gameweek 12

Nov 25, 2024 at 8.00pm UK

St James' Park

Newcastle United vs West Ham United

Preview

Newcastle United are unbeaten in five meetings with West Ham, while the Hammers have won just three of their 20 visits to Tyneside this century, with another home win on the cards.

Can Newcastle United maintain their impressive form? The Magpies came from a goal down to beat high-flying Nottingham Forest 3-1 at the City Ground last time out, with Alexander Isak equalising before goals from Joelinton and then Harvey Barnes sealed victory.

Eddie Howe's side had gone five league games without a win, but they have now won three in a row, ousting Chelsea in the EFL Cup and beating Arsenal at home before the aforementioned success on the banks of the River Trent. The Magpies will go into the weekend in eighth place, knocking on the door of the European places, and will be firm favourites to continue their winning run.

That's because West Ham United will make the 275-mile journey north, conveniently on a Monday night, in terrible form, starting the weekend in 14th, just five points above the relegation zone. It is fair to say that new boss Julen Lopetegui has yet to win over many supporters, and the Hammers' dull and uninspiring goalless draw with Everton at the London Stadium last time out did little to improve the mood.

The Irons have just three wins to their name this season and are winless in four away games since August, with their last two away games against fierce rivals Spurs and Nottingham Forest seeing them lose a key man on both occasions. Lopetegui is certainly a man under pressure and, ahead of Saturday's London derby against Arsenal, another defeat at St James' Park will do nothing to boost the Spaniard's confidence.

Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played: 144

Newcastle United Wins: 60. Draws: 41. West Ham United Wins: 43

Recent Perfomance

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Newcastle United form (all competitions):DLLWWW

West Ham United Premier League form:DWLWLD

Team News

Newcastle United

Dan Burn is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign at the City Ground, while Fabian Schär and Joelinton are also on the sidelines. As a result, Lloyd Kelly looks set to move to the back with Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth all sidelined. Matt Targett, who was on the bench a fortnight ago, could make his first Premier League appearance since the trip to West Ham 13 months ago after recovering from two long-term injuries and then a case of eczema, a rather unusual injury for a footballer. In midfield, Sandro Tonali has started all six of Italy's games in the Nations League this season, but can't make the team ahead of Sean Longstaff. Finally, Joelinton has been moving further forward of late, but Harvey Barnes is likely to start on the left after coming off the bench to score in Nottingham.

Newcastle United predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Pope; Livramento, Schär, Kelly, Hall; Longstaff, Guimarães, Joelinton; Gordon, Barnes, Isak.

West Ham United

Edson Alvarez could return after serving a one-match ban, but Mohammed Kudus is still unavailable after serving the fourth of his extended five-match suspension. In goal, Alphonse Areola is expected to be available, but Julen Lopetegui may stick with Lukasz Fabiański, who's been recalled for the last three games. Michail Antonio didn't feature in either of Jamaica's games against the United States last week, sitting out the first match through suspension before failing to travel to St Louis because he had lost his passport, which some speculated was a bogus excuse, although that won't be an issue for the trip to Tyneside. Lucas Paquetá will miss Saturday's game against Arsenal if he is booked.

West Ham United predicted lineup (4-5-1)

Fabiański; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Álvarez, Souček, Paquetá, Bowen, Summerville; Antonio.