Paul Merson has returned with his weekly predictions as our Premier League fixture list takes us to London this weekend.
Talking about Newcastle’s upcoming trip to West Ham United, Merson highlights the Hammers’ shocking run of form; particularly their total lack of wins at the London Stadium.
Incredibly, he reveals that West Ham have not won a single home game since their 2-0 win over relegated Leicester City way back on February 27th, not to mention the fact they’ve lost five or their last six games, drawing once at Everton.
That said, our away form this season has been far from the standards set in previous seasons, with our only win on the road coming in a 4-0 Champions League victory at Union Saint-Gilloise.
In the Premier League, Newcastle haven’t won away in the Premier League since April 7th, coincidentally against relegated Leicester City. So something may have to give at West Ham, as a struggling home side meets a Newcastle team desperate for their first league win away from St James’ Park in over six months.
It’s not for a lack of trying, however, Newcastle have been lacking consistent output in the final third, managing only one goal away from home in the league. But how does Merson see it panning out?
Speaking to Sportskeeda, he had this to say ahead of today’s 2pm kick-off, backing Newcastle to come away 3-1 winners:
“West Ham are a team that are the worst in the league when it comes to playing at home and this weekend, they face Newcastle, who have won just one game away from home all season.
“I don’t think West Ham have won at home since 27th February and that was against a struggling Leicester City, who got relegated in the end.
“The way West Ham have been losing games, it’s alarming. Brentford absolutely destroyed them in their last home game.
“Newcastle have to deal with a lot of games and a hectic schedule but I can’t see anything but a win for them here.”
Merson’s prediction: West Ham 1-3 Newcastle
Merson is right to reference our hectic schedule, with games set to come left, right and centre between now and Christmas.
After a cup win against Tottenham on Wednesday, West Ham will be followed by another midweek game, this time in the Champions League against Athletic Bilbao next Wednesday, followed by another trip to London next Sunday as we take on Brentford.
With the lack of goals consistently for both teams in United’s away games, I’m not sure we’ll see the four goals Merson predicts in this one, especially as three of our four away games so far have ended 0-0.
There are many ways Newcastle could prove me wrong, whether that’s Barnes and Gordon kicking on, Woltemade continuing his superb form or Murphy giving us something extra down that right after Elanga’s struggles.
Newcastle should keep their defensive record intact against a very poor West Ham side who look headed for relegation if things don’t change quickly under Nuno. Jarrod Bowen looks to be their only threat in front of goal, but even he has been kept quiet by most of their opposition this year.
Former Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson, who joined West Ham as a free agent last summer, will be looking forward to the challenge of scoring against his former team, although he has found starts hard to come by so far.
My prediction: West Ham 0-1 Newcastle
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