Newcastle United vs West Ham United Date and Time: Saturday, April 17,2021 12:30 PM (UK Time) Venue: St James’ Park Prediction: Newcastle United Bookmaker: 1xbet
West Ham look to move up into third place in the Premier League table when they travel to St. James’ Park to battle 17th-place Newcastle.
Newcastle are sitting just six points above the drop zone, but were able to get their first win in over two months last weekend beating Burnley 2-1. The Magpies are finally starting to get healthy on offense with Allan Saint-Maximum and Callum Wilson returning to the lineup.
Newcastle desperately need more points to secure their spot in the Premier League next season.
West Ham are having an absolute dream of a season, currently sitting inside the top four and have Champions League football on their horizon. Jesse Lindgard has been an absolute sensation since joining the club on loan in January, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in only nine appearances. The Hammers cannot afford to slip up in this match with both Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham hot on their heels for the last Champions League spot in the table.
The Magpies are finally starting to show some life towards the end of the season, as some of their key attackers are starting to get healthy. Allan Saint-Maximum and Callum Wilson will likely finally be on the field together for the first time in over a month, which will be huge for Newcastle.
However, they’ve been dreadful defensively all season long, which is fourth highest in the Premier League. They’ve really struggled holding the top seven teams in the Premier League in check in only then matches.
Additionally, Newcastle are going to be without starting centerbacks Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schär, so I think West Ham’s offense should be able to run rampant through the middle of the pitch.
However, the Hammers defense has been a bit shaky recently, as the injuries on their backline are starting to mount. Starting centerback Angelo Ogbonna, starting leftback Aaron Cresswell, and starting central midfielder Declan Rice are all going to miss this match due to injury. The loss of Rice and Ogbonna has been heavily felt in the last two matches.
Newcastle should be able to create more chances than expected in this match.
