This weekend, West Ham journeys to Newcastle for a crucial match in the Premier League’s European qualification race.
Newcastle hosts West Ham at St James’s Park in the Premier League’s first fixture following the international break. Currently, West Ham sits in seventh place, holding a four-point lead and three positions above Newcastle in the standings.
With West Ham positioned for their fourth consecutive European qualification, Newcastle is keen to narrow the gap, especially since they have a game in hand.
The race for European spots remains unpredictable, as positions could extend to eighth or ninth, contingent upon additional Champions League spots and the outcomes of the FA Cup, Europa League, and Conference League.
The Premier League’s European qualification slots may extend as low as eighth or ninth place.
West Ham retains the opportunity to secure a Champions League berth through a potential triumph in the Europa League. Despite this prospect, their recent history against Newcastle presents a challenge, with just one victory in the last nine Premier League encounters since 2019.
Within this period, West Ham suffered four defeats, highlighting the difficulty they face against Newcastle. However, a victory in the upcoming match would significantly widen the gap between the two clubs as they approach the end of the season.
In preparation for the game, West Ham’s manager, David Moyes, may find himself with a fortunate advantage. Newcastle finds itself grappling with a genuine injury crisis ahead of this crucial match, adding an extra layer of complexity to the already pivotal clash for European qualification against West Ham.
Newcastle’s injury woes ahead of the West Ham encounter
Eddie Howe faces the possibility of missing EIGHT crucial Newcastle players for the upcoming clash against West Ham.
According to Premier Injuries, five players are confirmed to be unavailable for the West Ham game. Goalkeeper Nick Pope is sidelined until the end of April, while defender Sven Botman is set for a lengthy spell out due to knee surgery.
Midfielder Joelinton is ruled out for the rest of the season following thigh surgery, and Sandro Tonali is suspended until the next season. Callum Wilson, a notorious problem for West Ham, will also miss the game until May due to a pectoral muscle injury.
Furthermore, three more key Newcastle starters are uncertain for the West Ham match. Although Kieran Trippier’s return is anticipated, it is not guaranteed. Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento are also doubtful due to thigh and ankle injuries, respectively.
The reverse fixture between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw earlier in the season. The game is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 pm on Saturday and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.