BBC pundit names bizarre reason Newcastle will beat West Ham – & predicts more misery for Fulham

Mark Lawrenson believes Newcastle will pull off a surprise 2-0 win over West Ham in Saturday’s early kick off at St James’ Park – not that his reasoning really adds up.

He’s right to point out that we’ll be boosted by the win at Burnley and return of Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, however he also claims that we “usually pick up points in bursts” this season – hence why he’s backing us to surprise the Hammers in this one.

Unfortunately, our ability to pick up points in bursts has been anything but true this season. Why? Because prior to our 2-1 win at Turf Moor, six of our seven victories so far have been followed by defeats.

Nevertheless, Lawro reckons this will finally be the weekend Champions League chasing West Ham slip up – and also backs Fulham to lose 2-0 at Arsenal to see us move NINE points clear of the drop zone.

Here’s what he wrote for the BBC ahead of tomorrow’s early kick off on Tyneside:

Last weekend’s win at Burnley was massive for Newcastle, who now have a bit of breathing space above the bottom three.

I’m going for a bit of an upset here, partly because I think Newcastle usually pick up points in bursts and also because they also have Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson to come into their starting XI after the impact they made off the bench against the Clarets.

It has the makings of a decent game, anyhow. West Ham have developed a bit of a habit recently of going 3-0 up and being pegged back, but they held on to beat Leicester last week and will hang on to fourth place for a while longer.

I am going for the Hammers to lose this time but I am sure they won’t mind – I also thought they would be beaten by the Foxes and, before then Wolves, and I was wrong on both occasions.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-0

Snapshot showing the bottom of the Premier League: 15th Brighton, 16th Burnley, 17th Newcastle, 18th Fulham, 19th West Brom & 20th Sheff Utd

I hope he’s right – although this is the same man who made a point of stating Burnley would NOT be beaten last weekend…

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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