West Ham vs Newcastle

Newcastle United needs to recover its form before the upcoming EFL Cup final by playing West Ham United away from home in Monday's Premier League match.

Graham Potter has the opportunity to achieve a Premier League three-match winning streak which Julen Lopetegui failed to accomplish when he led West Ham United.

The Hammers have not won three straight fixture matchups against top-flight opposition since December 2023 under David Moyes but the current squad fully justified their derby triumph over Arsenal along with their subsequent win against Leicester City.

Tomas Soucek's fortunate strike and Jannik Vestergaard's unfortunate defensive error gave West Ham a straightforward 2-0 victory against Van Nistelrooy's side which secures their double-digit advantage against relegation thus protecting them from dropping down a division.

West Ham obtained six victories like their prior nine matches across all competitions although their emotive attack remained a glaring issue.

The Irons shot conversion rate stands at 9% throughout the 2024-25 Premier League season and scored goals with 30% of their top-flight shots thus explaining their blank slate in three of four preceding home matches before Leicester visited.

While their hosts are looking to win three straight top-flight games for the first time since 2023, the Magpies are suffering from back-to-back losses and a number of new selection issues.
While their hosts are looking to win three straight top-flight games for the first time since 2023, the Magpies are suffering from back-to-back losses and a number of new selection issues.

Although Newcastle's last Premier League home loss was to West Ham United (more on that later), the team's usual goal from Alexander Isak was inadequate in a tumultuous FA Cup fifth-round matchup with Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Brighton supporters' long travel was made worthwhile when the Seagulls defeated them 2-1 at St. James' Park, where the fiery Danny Welbeck had the final say, following an exciting 120 minutes filled with goals, red cards, and close VAR calls.

The chances are against Howe's team following a debilitating period in which a fresh wave of injury and suspension issues have surfaced at the worst possible time. As a result, Newcastle's 70-year trophy drought will continue unless they can outsmart Liverpool in next weekend's EFL Cup final.

The Magpies, who were once praised for their defensive prowess, have now lost their last two away games without scoring and conceded at least twice in five straight games across all competitions. Two losses from their last three Premier League games have also left them behind in the top four.

Newcastle hasn't lost three straight games without scoring in any of them since January 2021, but if West Ham pulls off their St James' Park trick from November, when the capital club surprised the Magpies 2-0, they may face the same fate.