25 novembre, 22h00. Newcastle. St. James’ Park
Premier League. Day 12
Newcastle vs West Ham (Londres)
Injuries: Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier (both uncertain), Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth – Niklas Füllkrug
Newcastle vs West Ham : Cotes de paris
The twelfth day of the Premier League will conclude with one of the most prolific matches in recent years. In the last nine meetings between Newcastle and West Ham, the two teams have traded goals, totaling 43 goals in those matches.
West Ham
West Ham’s trip to St. James’ Park is seen by the British press as a possible decisive battle for Julen Lopetegui at the helm of the Hammers. Last summer, the Spanish manager received the full support of the club’s management in the transfer market, which resulted in the signing of ten new players at a total cost of £130 million. Naturally, a radical overhaul of the team takes time, but after more than three months of the season, no progress has been seen. Lopetegui continues to search for the optimal balance and ideal composition, frequently switching from one tactical scheme to another, which leaves the team uncertain and devoid of its own identity.
Perhaps what worries West Ham’s owners most is not just the poor results which have likely derailed their ambitious goals for the current season, but also the fact that almost all of the new signings, with the exception by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Krystian Bielik, have, to put it simply, failed to live up to high expectations.
The recent international break provided an ideal opportunity for changes to the coaching staff, which West Ham failed to exploit. This leads to the conclusion that the club management still has confidence in Julen Lopetegui. However, a continuation of their difficulties in December, with matches against Leicester, Wolverhampton and Bournemouth, could force the management to re-evaluate their stance regarding the Spanish coach.
Newcastle
It wasn’t so long ago that Eddie Howe’s future was uncertain, but recent results appear to have put to rest any doubts surrounding the Newcastle manager’s position. The Magpies reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea (2:1), and in the Premier League they triumphed against teams who were in the top four at the time – Arsenal (1:0) and Nottingham Forest (3:1). The performances of last year’s rookies, Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali, particularly pleased fans, as previous circumstances (injuries and suspensions) had limited their impact. The duo’s introduction turned things around in Nottingham, where Newcastle trailed 0-1 at half-time. The Italian midfielder played a crucial role in both goals and eventually managed an assist, while the Englishman sealed the match with a spectacular finish. “Barnes did what he does best. Harvey is an exceptional player,” summed up Eddie Howe after the match.
Victories against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have propelled Newcastle into the top half of the table, taking them closer to the Champions League places, and the upcoming schedule suggests the Magpies could rise even higher.
Newcastle vs West Ham: Predicted Lineups
Newcastle vs West Ham: Author’s Prediction
Newcastle’s unbeaten run against West Ham stands at five games, and Alexander Isak, who has rediscovered his sense of goal, has scored in each of his three games against the Hammers. The current state of both clubs suggests that the Magpies and the Swedish striker will continue their successes. However, there remains a feeling that West Ham will eventually come out on top and unleash their attacking potential. My prediction is that both teams will score.
