Paul Merson Predicts Newcastle United vs West Ham United: Can the Magpies Continue Their Impressive Form?
After the international break, Premier League football is finally returning this weekend, and Newcastle United fans will have to wait until Monday night to watch Eddie Howe’s men back in action. The Magpies are in strong form, having found their rhythm in recent matches, and they will look to continue their momentum when they take on West Ham United at St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s Form: Can They Continue Their Strong Run?
Newcastle United have been steadily regaining their best form over the past few weeks. After a shaky start to the season, the team has picked up pace and momentum, winning three consecutive matches. This streak has seen them climb up the Premier League table, and they are now just a point behind third place. The return of Premier League action after the international break presents an excellent opportunity for the Magpies to build on that momentum.
However, there is some concern among the Newcastle squad, particularly from defender Dan Burn, who has voiced his worries that the international break might have disrupted their flow. Despite this, Burn remains hopeful that the game under the lights at St James’ Park will help the team hit the ground running and pick up where they left off before the break.
The Magpies have shown in recent weeks that they are capable of dominating their opponents, and if they can carry on their current form, they will be a real threat for a top-four finish. A win on Monday night would mean four consecutive victories, further solidifying their position as one of the Premier League’s most in-form teams.
West Ham United: Struggling for Consistency
In contrast to Newcastle, West Ham United are struggling to find their form. The Hammers have had a rough start to the season, and their performances have left a lot to be desired. Despite some impressive individual moments, they have not been able to string together a consistent series of results. One of the most concerning recent performances for West Ham was their 4-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, a result that raised serious questions about the team’s defensive capabilities.
Things had looked better for West Ham just before the international break, with a narrow win over Manchester United, but their overall inconsistency has left many wondering how long manager Julen Lopetegui will be in charge. The Spaniard is already under pressure, with reports suggesting that his job could be on the line if results do not improve.
Lopetegui’s position at the club is a hot topic, and his inability to find a stable starting XI and consistent results has made it hard for West Ham to establish themselves in the Premier League. Despite these struggles, many believe that the club’s board will give Lopetegui more time to turn things around. Some pundits suggest that West Ham would have sacked him after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Everton if they were not planning to back him in the long run.
Paul Merson’s Prediction: Can Newcastle Capitalize on West Ham’s Struggles?
As part of his Premier League predictions for Sportskeeda, Paul Merson has weighed in on the upcoming clash between Newcastle and West Ham. The former Arsenal star believes that Newcastle will continue their strong form and come out victorious in this match.
“Newcastle are starting to pick up pace now,” Merson said. “They’ve won three in a row and are just a point off third place. If they start this game well, they will run riot.” Merson highlighted that West Ham’s defensive frailties are a major concern, especially after their heavy defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Merson expressed his disbelief over how West Ham managed to secure a win over Manchester United, but he added that he is deeply worried for the club moving forward. “I worry for West Ham,” he said. “If you are counting on Lopetegui to turn it around against Newcastle and then Arsenal, you are delusional! I don’t think he’ll be there long-term, but he still has some time.”
While Merson predicts that Lopetegui will be given more time, he is not optimistic about West Ham’s chances against Newcastle, particularly with the Magpies’ current form. “I’d be shocked if West Ham get anything out of this game,” Merson said. “It has Newcastle written all over it. I’m backing the hosts to slaughter West Ham and become a strong candidate for a top-four finish.”
Newcastle’s Recent Record Against West Ham: A Positive Trend
Looking at recent history between the two teams, Newcastle have generally had the upper hand over West Ham. In fact, the Magpies have an impressive record in this fixture, with five wins, four draws, and just one defeat in the last 10 meetings between the two sides. This includes a dramatic 4-3 win over West Ham last season, where Newcastle made a remarkable comeback after going 3-1 down.
Historically, St James’ Park has been a difficult venue for West Ham, and recent results suggest that Newcastle will be favorites heading into this match. A 3-0 victory for Newcastle would be emphatic and would also mark their most decisive home win over West Ham since August 2017, showing just how much progress the team has made under Eddie Howe.
Team News: Missing Players for Newcastle
Newcastle United will have some important absences for this game, particularly in defense. Dan Burn is suspended, and Emil Krafth remains sidelined due to injury, meaning that Lloyd Kelly is expected to start in the center of defense alongside Fabian Schär. While this could cause some disruption, Newcastle’s overall depth and defensive organization should still make them a tough team to break down.
Additionally, the return of Callum Wilson to the squad could provide a huge boost. Wilson, who has been absent for the entire season so far, has a fantastic record against West Ham, scoring more goals against them than any other team. His presence in the squad would give Newcastle more firepower in attack and could prove to be the difference in a tightly contested match.
Conclusion: Can Newcastle Continue Their Strong Form?
With Paul Merson backing them to win and their recent form suggesting that they are a strong team, Newcastle United will be confident heading into this match against West Ham. If they can continue their impressive run, they will be firmly in the mix for a top-four finish, and a win over the Hammers would be another step in that direction.
West Ham, on the other hand, face an uphill battle. With Lopetegui’s job under threat and the team struggling for consistency, the pressure is mounting. A defeat to Newcastle could push the club closer to making a managerial change, and they will need a significant improvement to avoid further misery.
Ultimately, the game looks set to be a challenging one for West Ham, and Merson’s prediction of a Newcastle win seems more than likely, given the current form of both teams. Monday night’s match promises to be an exciting encounter, and Newcastle will be hoping to make it four wins in a row as they continue their push for the Premier League’s top spots
