BBC Sport pundit has big trophy call with Newcastle United, so is he on the money…?

Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of this afternoon’s match.

Newcastle United return to Premier League action after powering into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

Facing West Ham at the London Stadium in a 2pm kick-off.

The Newcastle United players knowing they would move into the top half of the Premier League with a win this afternoon.

Eddie Howe and Newcastle United now eleven weeks into the new season.

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 31 October 2025:

“Newcastle marched on in the Carabao Cup in midweek and, after winning it last season and ending their long wait for silverware, I’m starting to think about whether Eddie Howe can get his hands on another trophy.

“In contrast, West Ham are in deep trouble.

“Nuno Espirito Santo had a free week to work on things on the training ground, but whoever he picks, it doesn’t seem to make much difference.

“The Hammers concede a lot of goals from set-plays and I feel like Newcastle are just going to be too strong for them in every area.

“Prediction: West Ham 0 Newcastle 2”

My thoughts

I think the BBC Sport pundit is very much on the money this time.

West Ham have lost eight of the ten matches they have played this season.

The only exceptions have been a 1-1 draw at Everton and the only win was away at Forest, a victory for the Hammers and a defeat for Nottingham Forest that saw Nuno sacked, which meant he was then available four weeks later to take over at…West Ham.

Newcastle have won five of their last six matches in all competitions and scored 14 goals in the process.

West Ham have picked up one point in their last six Premier League matches and conceded 12 goals in these half dozen games. Whilst the Hammers have also lost all four home games this season and conceded 12 goals in them.

As the BBC Sport pundit points out, Nuno has had a free week to prepare for this game. However, with Eddie Howe having made eight changes on Wednesday for that Spurs game, he is in a very fortunate position of now having not only a group of players who are getting into the winning mood once again, but also having so many usual starters available to come back in having had a bit of a rest for the cup match.

Speaking of the Carabao Cup, Chris Sutton no doubt mainly referring to that competition when he wonders about Eddie Howe and another trophy.

Having got that first silverware after so very long, I think clearly it has given massive confidence inside the club, especially with the players, that having done it once, why can’t it happen again?

With three home draws, nobody can complain. With now Fulham at St James’ Park to try and get past, before then a possible two-legged semi-final and then Wembley.

United faced Brentford at home in last season’s quarter-final stage and then Arsenal in the semis and Liverpool in the final.

Having been kept apart in the latest draw, if Newcastle United get through against Fulham, there looks every chance of Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City as the three others to get through. The past two seasons have seen Eddie Howe’s side defeat all three of these clubs in the Carabao Cup, so whilst nothing about it says easy, what we do know is that Newcastle United are now capable of beating anybody if playing at their best.