West Ham (H): Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
After going out of the FA Cup just before the international break, Newcastle only have the league to rely on to achieve our European aspirations.
With Anthony Gordon giving a good account of himself donning the Three Lions' shirt, confidence can be gained from the international break. But, because it's Newcastle United, the drama that has come to typify this season has not gone away.
After Sven Botman was ruled out for nine months ahead of ACL surgery, Lewis Miley picked up a back injury playing for England U20s which could end the teenager's breakout season. News of Sandro Tonali's additional charges by the English FA for bets placed after his move to the Toon perhaps came as no surprise to Geordies; however, the timing of the charges will feel like a kick in the teeth to a team looking to treat the run in as a mini-season of sorts.
We can remember big wins over West Ham in recent years and with the Hammers also in the hunt for a European place, this game gives us a chance to take points off a genuine league rival - it is a certified six-pointer.
Toon boss Eddie Howe is treating the run in as a mini-season himself, with his sights set on a top seven finish. "With these ten games it is an opportunity for us to finish the season strong," Howe said. "We are looking for consistency in results. We are focused on building and finding some positive momentum."
Howe also said that the team were "desperate" to finish the season well and recapture the same form that saw them jump up the table after beating Wolves recently - only to tumble again with defeat to Chelsea.
"We want to be closing that gap, [West Ham] have done well, they are a dangerous team," the gaffer said. "We are back at home, we left on a good note in our last game against Wolves and we are desperate to carry that on again. This is a home game, expectation will be on us, we will attack the game in the way we know we can."
Team news
Miley could be out for around six weeks with a back injury. Howe updated fans on Sven Botman's knee injury which will see him miss up to nine months of football. The Dutchman refused surgery that was advised by club staff, Howe said. Pope and Wilson remain sidelined. Tonali is banned until August (unless the FA extend his punishment, which Howe said would not be in the best interests of the player's recovery from a gambling addiction).
Meanwhile, there were positive signs that Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier could all be in contention to be part of the squad.
David Moyes' Hammers will have to travel to Newcastle without holding midfielder Edson Alvarez who is suspended. Moyes' side have not won any of the four league games they've played without the Mexican. Mohammed Kudus missed Ghana duty because of a knee injury and may not make the squad either.
Predicted line-up: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Burn; Bruno, Longstaff, Willock; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
Howe was coy on the possibility of Trippier's involvement, however we have seen him employ similar tactics with returning players to place less pressure on their reintroduction to the squad. Lascelles will partner Schar after Botman's injury. The remaining front six picks itself given the constraints squad fitness has placed on team selection.
Prediction: Newcastle 3 - 1 West Ham
There are no ifs or buts, this game is a massive one in our season. We are at home, against a direct rival for European football. With the potential for West Ham to be without both Kudus and Alvarez, we have the potential to inflict our customary intensity on their, at times shaky, backline.
I've been confident in a result before and been burned, but it feels bigger and different this time. This season cannot be allowed to wane into insignificance. Let's get right into them and deliver a sucker punch to their European hopes.
HOWAY THE LADS!
