The advent of the Carabao cup just five days after Newcastle’s trip to London stadium on Monday is perfect timing for the [Hammers.](https://www.claretandhugh.info/come-on-do-it-for-the-fans-west-ham-fans-that-is/) Newcastle are likely to be cautious of injuries ahead of their Wembley final and this can play right into West Ham’s hands.
Graham Potter is on a mini-run of two games with clean sheets and the Hammers would dearly love another three points and a step up the Premier League. Surprisingly, pundit Paul Merson agrees when speaking to [Geordie Boot Boys](https://www.geordiebootboys.com/news/paul-merson-says-why-hes-now-backing-west-ham-to-beat-newcastle-united-in-the-premier-league/) that this game has come at the perfect time for West Ham and he is backing the Hammers to make it three wins in row:
_“If it weren’t for the cup final next week, I would have backed Newcastle. I think they will be cautious about more players picking up injuries and that might hurt them against West Ham.”_
In addition of course the Magpies are likely to be without three key players in Sven Botman, Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall. Alexander Isak hobbled off in the cup match against Brighton and was replaced by Hammers’ nemesis Callum Wilson who would be the replacement if Isak is rested.
If West Ham do manage a win on Monday, it will be the first time they have done the double over Newcastle since the 2018/19 campaign- so the omens are not favourable but Merson’s prediction is still a surprise.