West Ham vs Newcastle Prediction - Premier League Fixtures
Scott Thornton brings you his West Ham vs Newcastle prediction preview ahead of their Monday night encounter in the Premier League.
West Ham look set to comfortably avoid relegation so they have very little to play for in the coming months. However, Graham Potter will want to see progress as he looks to implement his style of play ahead of next season.
Newcastle are targeting a return to the Champions League but the congested nature of the table means they have a fight on their hands. Eddie Howe’s team are currently three points off the top four.
West Ham vs Newcastle Prediction: Goals are Scarce with Potter
England, Premier League, Monday, March 10th, 20:00 (UK)
West Ham began the season with Julen Lopetegui in charge. The former Real Madrid boss has a sterling reputation but was unable to get a tune out of this team. They replaced Julen with Graham Potter in January and there have been some promising signs amidst an inconsistent run of results.
Potter’s first task was shoring up the defence. Before his arrival, West Ham were conceding an average of 1.84 goals per Premier League game. This number has dropped to just 1.14 goals per game under the new manager. Only Liverpool and Arsenal have conceded fewer than 1.14 goals per match over the course of the whole season. Potter has only taken charge of seven league games so the sample size is small, but the drastic improvement in defence is an encouraging sign.
Nevertheless, West Ham haven’t been exceptional going forward. They have scored the fifth-fewest goals in the Premier League this season with 32 and their attacking output hasn’t improved. Their stagnant attack, coupled with an improving defence, mean that West Ham’s league matches under Potter have seen an average of 2.29 goals. Therefore, we are backing under 2.5 goals here, a bet that has landed in five of their last seven.
Newcastle’s last game against Brighton was 1-1 at the end of normal time. The Magpies have also failed to score in their last two matches on the road so they won’t be full of confidence ahead of the trip to London.
The Hammers ran out 2-0 victors when they faced Newcastle in the reverse fixture back in November. They accumulated an xG of just 0.81 despite netting twice. There is likely to be a lack of creativity once again. They have an average expected goals of just one per game under Potter. Only the bottom three have a lower xG than one per game over the course of the whole season.
- West Ham vs Newcastle Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 2.10
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 5/10 (TRACKED BET)
West Ham vs Newcastle Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:26, September 26th, 2024. Odds may now differ.
West Ham vs Newcastle Team News: Notable Absentees for the Hammers
Michail Antonio is unlikely to return before the end of the season following a car accident but West Ham have Bowen and Kudus who can lead the attack. Lucas Paqueta, Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville are also ruled out of the game against Newcastle but Graham Potter is still able to name a strong starting 11.
Eddie Howe was able to start Alexander Isak in the FA Cup final defeat against Brighton after he missed the league clash with Liverpool. The Swedish striker looked sharp in that game so his involvement is in no doubt here. Kieran Trippier faces a late fitness test but Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles will be absent. Anthony Gordon will also miss this game after picking up a red card in the cup.
West Ham possible starting lineup:
Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Cresswell, Todibo, Kilman; Scarles; Alvarez Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Bowen, Kudus
Newcastle possible starting lineup:
Pope; Livramentom Schar, Burn, Trippier; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes; Murphy, Willock, Isak
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