For the first time in almost a year, West Ham have managed to win two games in a row. The 1-0 win in the derby against Arsenal, beaten away, and the 2-0 win over the moribund Leicester in the last midweek round. No longer involved in the domestic cups, the Hammers have not played for about ten days: Graham Potter, who took over from Julen Lopetegui halfway through the season, has therefore had some time to prepare for the match against Newcastle, who on paper would have much more motivation than the Londoners to take all three points in this match.
West Ham’s disastrous first part of the season means that Soucek and his teammates can no longer hope to qualify for the European Cup. With the new coach the Hammers have undoubtedly made progress – although they are still very inconsistent – but Europe is a long way off (they have to make up 12 points on seventh place) and it would take a sensational comeback to reduce this gap. A comeback that at the moment seems out of reach. It’s a different story for Newcastle, who are fighting for fourth or fifth place, which could mean a place in the Champions League. The Magpies, despite three defeats in the last four games – a week ago the Whites were also eliminated from the FA Cup, losing at home to Brighton – can still aspire to finish in the top four. The League Cup is still up for grabs: next weekend Eddie Howe’s men will have the opportunity to challenge Liverpool for the title in the final at Wembley, an event that the Juventus manager will certainly take into consideration when choosing his lineup for the London Stadium match.
As for the Hammers, Potter could recover both Paquetà and Coufal, who will take a seat on the bench. Howe will be without the suspended Gordon and the injured Trippier, Lascelles, Botman and Hall.
Odds comparison
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The prediction
A resurgent West Ham could take advantage of the numerous absences Newcastle have to deal with: the Magpies will also be distracted by the upcoming League Cup final, which could make or break their season. As in the first leg (which West Ham won 2-0), the Hammers will probably avoid defeat in a match in which both teams will score.
The probable line-ups for West Ham-Newcastle
WEST HAM (3-5-2): Areola; Cresswell, Kilman, Todibo; Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Scarles; Kudus, Bowen.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1