Newcastle-West Ham is a match valid for the 30th day of the Premier League and is played Saturday at 1:30 p.m.: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
Among the teams in full fight for qualification to the “minor” cups (Europa League and Conference League) are also West Ham and Newcastle, ready to compete for heavy points in this interesting direct clash. For the Conference League holders, the moment of crisis experienced between January and February seems to be behind them: before the break, West Ham beat Brentford and Everton and drew with Burnley and Aston Villa, racking up four positive results in a row and defending seventh place.
In between there was also the double-header with Freiburg in the Europa League, overwhelmed with 5-0 in London after losing the first leg 1-0 in Germany (in the quarterfinals the Londoners will face Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen). The Achilles’ heel of these Hammers remains the defense, the most perforated ever (50 goals conceded so far) among the top 12 in the current Premier League standings, and in the league the last clean sheet recorded by David Moyes’ men was last January 2. From this point of view, Newacastle, which is much less solid than a year ago, is not “joking” either: the Magpies have conceded only 2 fewer goals than West Ham and are definitely more vulnerable on the road.
Direct match for Europe
In the standings, the Bianconeri – who unlike the Hammers are engaged only in the league – have four points less but have to make up the game with Crystal Palace, postponed because of the FA Cup match with Manchester City.
Before the break, the Cityzens got the better of (2-0) Eddie Howe’s team, which also exited the most prestigious domestic cup. The highly discontinuous Newcastle continues to deal with numerous injuries, which have never ceased to plague it this year. In addition to the absence of the disqualified Tonali, the Magpies’ coach will be without Joelinton, Pope, Wilson and Botman, the latest to reach the infirmary. Howe’s hope is to re-embrace Livramento and Tripper, who could be available again.
The Prediction
They face two teams that are by no means shining in non-possession and have conceded the most goals among those aspiring for a place in Europe. Probable, therefore, that both will manage to score at least one goal. Newcastle, which has an edge at home, should at least avoid defeat.
Newcastle-West Ham
likely lineups.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Lascelles, Burn; Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Phillips; Bowen, Paquetà, Kudus; Antonio.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
