West Ham will be hoping Manchester United, Bournemouth, and Brentford all drop points this weekend.
The middle of the top division has become increasingly congested, and the Hammers did themselves a massive favour with Monday night’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle.
The Magpies are currently 10th in the [Premier League](https://www.claretandhugh.info/premier-league-bio/), and mathematically, West Ham could move ahead of them, although it would take a big goal swing in Toon’s game against Palace. Julen Lopetegui’s side would also need to defeat [Arsenal](https://www.claretandhugh.info/arsenal-football-club-bio/) at the London Stadium, but stranger things have happened.
AFC Bournemouth are on the same 15 points as West Ham and face a trip to Gary O’Neil’s resurgent Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Manchester United sit 12th in the league, only one point ahead, but face perhaps the easiest game of the weekend with Sean Dyche’s Everton visiting Old Trafford. Brentford are one point better off than Ruben Amorim’s side but host Leicester City in what should really be a comfortable game for Thomas Frank.
Therefore, it would take an extraordinary set of results for **West Ham** to climb the league this weekend, but at least the victory on Tyneside has put them back in the hunt.
It’s great to be looking up rather than down.