West Ham (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

A few months ago, I would’ve doubted our ability to travel to a top four contender and pick up a result.

However, after a win at Leeds and back-to-back victories over Everton and Aston Villa at St James’ Park, there’s no reason why we can’t keep this run going against a West Ham side who’ve been below their best over the past month – even if a seven hour coach trip to London isn’t ideal preparation due to Storm Eunice cancelling the squad’s flight!

No Trippier or Manquillo creates a concern at right-back, leaving Krafth under pressure to step up, however our defence has conceded just one goal in 270 minutes of football, our midfield is bang in form and attacking options like Saint-Maximin and Fraser are playing as well as they have all season, benefiting from Wood’s unselfish work up top.

We were a side lacking in all belief, confidence or consistency at the turn of the year, yet this run of wins has given us the boost we so badly needed – especially now squad lieutenant and on-field leader Kieran Trippier will no longer be around to raise chins and standards.

With Burnley and Watford playing twice this gameweek, this is another important moment in our bid to beat the drop and extend that four-point gap between ourselves and the bottom three.

Team news

Kieran Trippier (broken metatarsal) and Javier Manquillo (ankle) have both been ruled out, meaning Emil Krafth looks set to start at right-back.

In better news, Matt Targett is eligible to play and Jamaal Lascelles back from a bug that kept him out last weekend, however Matt Ritchie, Federico Fernandez and Callum Wilson look set to miss out once again with long-term issues.

As for West Ham, David Moyes has suggested that Kurt Zouma could be set to return to his starting 11 after returning to training this week.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Willock, Shelvey, Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin.

Martin Dubravka – Secured his second clean sheet in his last three games in our 1-0 win over Villa and is our best goalkeeper when fit.

Emil Krafth – The Swede is our third choice right-back for a reason, however he always gives his all and will need to step up in Trippier and Manquillo’s absence. Did pretty well during his cameo at SJP last weekend, so fingers crossed!

Fabian Schar – Has always had the talent, but he’s added consistency to his game in recent weeks. An ever-present during this unbeaten run, let’s hope he can continue this strong run of form.

Dan Burn – Jamaal Lascelles may be fit again, however the big man can’t be dropped after that outstanding debut last weekend. His height, calmness and underrated mobility for a man of his size could be key against Bowen and Antonio.

Matt Targett – Our on loan left-back will surely return to Howe’s starting 11 after being ineligible to face his parent club last time out. Was rock solid on his debut but will have his hands full against Bowen.

Joe Willock – The former Arsenal man has upped his game in recent weeks, looking more like the player we fell in love with last season with his non-stop pressing, ball-carrying and box-to-box energy. Guimaraes needs to start soon, but I can’t see Willock being dropped yet.

Jonjo Shelvey – Like Schar, he’s added discipline and consistency to his game under Eddie Howe. Looks fitter than ever and is one of the first names on the team sheet now.

 Joelinton – Another dominant display against Aston Villa for the man who has gone from £40m flop to Brazilian bulldozer! No Premier League players makes more tackles than him since he dropped into midfield, and this could be key when up against physical duo Rice and Soucek.

Ryan Fraser –  A new man under Eddie Howe and someone who could be key at both ends. His energy could be useful to help out Krafth defensively, while his crosses into the box at the other end may benefit Wood after a few near misses last weekend.

Chris Wood – He’s not scored yet and hasn’t looked that likely if the truth be told, however we’ve won three and drawn one in his four starts so far. Needs a goal, but he’s doing lots of unselfish, dirty work for the team!

Allan Saint-Maximin – Has a history of causing havoc against the Hammers and could be key to us getting a result here. They’ve had issues at right-back this season, so hopefully he’s at his unplayable best.

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Predicted West Ham XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski – Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Creswell – Soucek, Rice – Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals- Antonio.

Match prediction

Anyone planning a sports bet this weekend will be torn on this one. In one sense, West Ham are backed to beat us as a top four contender facing a relegation candidate at home, however we come into this full of belief on the back of three straight wins.

As a result, I fancy this one to end all square. I do worry that we’ll miss Trippier and find the midfield battle much harder to win against Rice and Soucek, yet this is a Hammers side who’ve limped through most of their games over the last month.

Saint-Maximin to cause havoc in a low-scoring draw in London!

Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Newcastle

HOWAY THE LADS!

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.

80 thoughts on “West Ham (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

  1. I never got the love-in with Carrick either. Again, a good player, but the media acted like he was a cross between Maldini and Pirlo.

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  2. We had 14 shots today. I keep yapping on about this false narrative about us not creating from open play. Can they just stop with that bollix now as there is no evidence. The evidence is to the contrary, we are averaging 15 shots in the last 4 games when it was under 5 under Brucie-boy.

    Possession was 54% NUFC.

    The stats are backing up what we are seeing with our own eyes. That we are much better to watch and are a better team under Howe.

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