The return of Alexander Isak, the Newcastle player, to the list of top scorers in the English Premier League, poses a threat to West Ham United, before facing it on Monday.
Newcastle will play West Ham at 10 p.m. at St. James Park, as part of the 12th round of the English Premier League.
Alexander Isak enters tonight’s match at home against West Ham in good condition, having scored 5 goals in his last 6 matches with his team and his country.
The Swede unusually failed to score in five of his first six Premier League matches this season, but the goals he scored against Chelsea, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in successive matches reignited his enthusiasm.
Isaac’s recent return to the scorers list appears to be bad news for West Ham, who lost their last two away matches by an aggregate score of 7-1.
Isaac enjoys facing West Ham
However, West Ham players will be well aware of Isaac’s qualities, as the Newcastle striker has scored in each of his three matches against them, including two goals in both matches last season.
No player has ever managed to score more than one goal in three successive matches against West Ham before, so Isaac has the chance to make a little piece of history.
What was different this season?
Many of Isaac’s goals for Eddie Howe’s side in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons came from counterattacks or through balls in which he used his impressive movement and pace.
One of Isaac’s strengths is his ability to escape from his markers, without falling into an offside position.
For a striker who often plays on the last man’s shoulder, the Swede has only been flagged for offside five times this season.
Many of Isaac’s goals also come from moments where he cleverly finds goal by making a clear run towards the goal.
We saw it when he pounced on Reece James to convert Lewis Hall’s cross at Chelsea.
The goal that Issac scored against Chelsea at Anfield last season reflects Issac’s intelligence when it comes to testing the offside line, and when he knew that Mark Cucurella was playing with him, he resisted the temptation to fall forward, before receiving Luis Miley’s pass.
West Ham also struggled with Isaac’s clever positioning in last season’s match at the London Stadium. By positioning himself next to his marker, he was in a good position to score the goal when one of the home team’s defenders tapped the ball.
Whether through set-pieces or counter-attacks, Isak takes great positions that allow him to look down the line, attack and score. If he veers into these areas this evening, Julen Lopetegui’s side could be in trouble.
Isaac always poses a great threat in quick attacks and through balls at St. James Park, and it is certain that he will always seek to run behind the West Ham defence.
When a player runs towards goal into open space, there are very few strikers more skilled than Newcastle’s top scorer.
Isaac has a strong home record and with a habit of hurting West Ham, there is every chance that Isaac will be the main man in the final match of Round 12.
