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Battle of the Underachievers Looms

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We can expect an exciting clash tonight at the London stadium as West ham host Newcastle United. The Hammers look to be gaining some momentum under new boss Graham Potter but will be wary of the Magpies who remain in and out of form and with Guimaraes and Isak are more than capable of opening up the leaky Hammers defence. 

However, the Hammers look more comfortable of late with Potters 'Five at the back' formation and with Paqueta and Ferguson on the bench should be able to shake things up if needed. Newcastle have only managed 6 points in their last 6 games (one point less than the Hammers over that time) but have plenty to play for as they are 3 points off 5th and 5 points of the final Champions League spot. In short, both sides have something to proove and should be up for it.

For West ham, Niclas Fullkrug is not quite ready to return, while Newcastle will be without Anthony Gordon who is suspended. 

After two straight defeats, Newcastle will want to lay down a marker for next weeks Carabao Cup final against Liverpool but may also want to hold something back, making for a tantalising sense of uncertainty as to how the game will go. 

The bookies have West ham at 9-4 against which looks like an attractive bet given that the Geordies have a pretty poor record in their visits to London over recent years. Confusingly, long time Hammers sceptic Mark Lawrenson believes West ham will take all three points, while more predictably Alan Shearer reckons Newcastle will take the spoils. 

Kick off is at 8pm.

COYI!!!. .

West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Álvarez, Souček, Ward-Prowse, Bowen ©, Kudus.

Subs: Fabiański (GK), Emerson, Mavropanos, Rodríguez, Soler, Paquetá, Luis Guilherme, Ferguson, Ings

 

Newcastle: Pope, Livramento, Schär, Burn, Trippier, Guimarães ©, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Barnes, Isak.

Subs: Dúbravka (GK), Krafth, Targett, Longstaff, Miley, Willock, Osula, Neave, Wilson

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