West Ham (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line up and prediction
It feels like an age since our 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, but thankfully that is the last international break we'll have to deal with until March next year!
I won't miss them, especially after three already this season, but it was a brilliant break for some of our players. Gordon and Tonali scored for their countries for the first time, Hall and Livramento both made their full England debuts, Isak and Almiron both found the net and Miley impressed for the Young Lions' U21 side.
Those who weren't away on international duty still jetted off, with the squad spending a few days in Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp before returning to Tyneside for Monday night's clash with West Ham.
After three wins on the spin and a superb comeback win against Forest last time out, this feels like a big chance to kick on and opportunity to keep the momentum going against a Hammers side who've totally underwhelmed this season despite spending big, recruiting some quality players and appointing Julen Lopetegui; who isn't far off the sack according to reports.
Howe’s pre-match comments
Howe on Saudi trip - "It was a good week. It was nice to spend some time with the group. Three intense days in Saudi. The players worked hard both in training and commercially. The gap between games was longer than maybe we would want but I think we’ve been able to use the time wisely.”
Howe on the England call-ups - “We all watched the (England vs Republic of Ireland) game together at the hotel we were in in Saudi. There was an enormous amount of pride watching them, not just perform but how well they performed and how they contributed to the win. It was a great thing to see, and great to see Anthony score his first goal.”
Team news
Dan Burn is suspended for this one after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at the City Ground two weeks ago, meaning Lloyd Kelly looks set to come in at centre-back.
There "is a chance" Callum Wilson returns if he comes through training OK over the next few days, while Kieran Trippier is "slightly closer" after training this week. Emil Krafth, however, is facing 6-8 weeks out after
Predicted XI: Pope – Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Gordon, Isak, Joelinton.
We have plenty of options - Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes both helped change the game in the second half at Forest and will be pushing for starts - but I think Howe will stick by the majority of the 11 who started our last game, with Kelly in for the absent Burn our only predicted change.
Match prediction: Newcastle 3-1 West Ham
While we come into this with momentum, three wins on the spin, Isak scoring goals for fun and Gordon, Hall and Livramento buoyed from a big week with England, West Ham are out of sorts, haven't won any of their last five on the road and may be another bad performance away from sacking Julen Lopetegui.
We can't take them lightly - they still have plenty of quality in Bowen, Paqueta and Summerville - but I think we'll see an Isak brace and 3-1 win to move us up the table and Lopetegui another step closer to the sack.
Howay the lads!
