Newcastle vs West Ham LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as struggling Hammers face test
Eddie Howe’s side could climb into the top six with a win against the Hammers
Newcastle United host West Ham in the Premier League.
The Magpies have had mixed form at times this season but after some impressive recent results, including a win over Arsenal, three points tonight could take Eddie Howe’s team into the top six and just one point below Chelsea in third.
West Ham have had a much poorer start to their season, with Julen Lopetegui’s side languishing in 14th, just three points above the relegation places.
And with matches against fellow strugglers Leicester and Wolves coming up – as well as a match at home to Arsenal up next – the Hammers desperately need a win as they head into one of the most congested periods in the fixture list in December.
Follow all the latest build-up, news and updates below:
Newcastle vs West Ham
Newcastle can leap from 9th to 6th tonight with a win - and they would be just a point behind 3rd place Chelsea with three points. Eddie Howe’s side are growing in momentum.
West Ham ‘have to improve’ - Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui, speaking to Sky Sports:
“We have to improve a lot of things but we will do it as a team. Newcastle are a very good team with good players.
“Very technically and physically strong. If we want to overcome them, we will have to focus on ourselves.”
‘Massive night for West Ham’ - Jarrod Bowen
West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, speaking to Sky Sports, ahead of tonight’s match against Newcastle:
“It’s a massive night. We have need reached the standards of previous campaigns.
“It’s been disappointing for us but we are confident and there are lots of opportunities to put things right.
“We are in a results business and results matter. It’s up to us.
“The manager has good ideas with the ball, under the old manager we had a way of playing and were successful but we’ve changed that.
“You have to adapt and find the right balance. It is down to us players to buy into those ideas.”
West Ham could be ‘rolled over’ by Newcastle
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher has predicted that West Ham could be “rolled over” by Newcastle tonight and warned that Julen Lopetegui could face the sack if results don’t improve.
“This is a team that have lost five games by two or more goals. This is not what West Ham fans want,” Carragher said.
“Lopetegui is fortunate that they have not pulled the trigger, if it doesn’t change very quickly, I think there could be a change.
“It’s not an easy game tonight, I could see them getting rolled over.”
Newcastle vs West Ham: Repeat of a classic?
Last season’s meeting between Newcastle and West Ham was one of the games of the season, with Eddie Howe’s team coming from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at St James’ Park.
Key to that comeback was Harvey Barnes, who scored twice from the bench. He has an impressive record against West Ham too.
He’s either scored or assisted in each of his last four against West Ham (4 goals, 1 assist) and has scored in each of the last three.
Newcastle vs West Ham: Team news
One change for Newcastle as Lloyd Kelly replaces the suspended Dan Burn in defence. There’s the same midfield and attack, with Joelinton joining Alexsander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
One change for West Ham too, with Carlos Soler coming into midfield. Michail Antonio keeps his place in attack.
Newcastle vs West Ham: Confirmed line-ups!
Newcastle XI: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall; Willock, Longstaff; Guimaraes; Joelinton, Isak, Gordon
West Ham XI: Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Soler, Soucek, Paqueta, Summerville, Antonio; Bowen.
Team news
The line-ups should be announced in five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth remain out, while Dan Burn is suspended. Kieran Tripper and Callum Wilson both need fitness tests for the hosts.
West Ham also have suspensions with Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez banned, while Niclas Fullkrug remains injured.
Match facts
Newcastle have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League games against West Ham and are unbeaten in all five meetings under Eddie Howe, winning two and drawing three.
In addition, the Hammers have not kept a clean sheet in any of the past 10 top-flight meetings.
However, Lopetegui’s side have scored a total of 15 goals in their six most recent Premier League games at St James’ Park.
Head -to-head
Tonight will be the 114th meeting between these two sides. Overall, Newcastle have won 48, West Ham have won 36, and 29 have ended as draws.
The last meeting between these two produced an entertaining 4-3 win for the Magpies in March, while the two teams drew 2-2 in east London last season.
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