Media pundits Mark Lawrenson and Paul Merson predict misery for the Hammers when they travel to North West this weekend.

Lawro has predicted a 2-0 loss for West Ham on the BBC website by saying:

“When Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez puts a run of good results together, it is not for just two or three games – it seems to last a bit longer than that. The Magpies are currently unbeaten for four games and have won their past three, and I can see them getting three more points here. West Ham, meanwhile, have only won one of their past six matches. Flaky is probably a good way to describe them, although I don’t see them getting dragged down into the relegation battle.”

Meanwhile, Sky pundit Paul Merson also expects a loss for the Irons predicting a 2-1 loss.

Merson pens on the Sky Sports website “Newcastle have three wins in a row, which I didn’t see coming, but I think the penny’s dropped a bit for them. I think at the start of the season, they were too negative. In the last three games, they’ve had a go. They’ve won all three and clawed their way out.

I thought West Ham had turned the corner, but every now and then they just get a nightmare game. Last week they got blown away, but Man City will do that. I’ve been surprised where West Ham are, but they’re back in the relegation mix and if they lose at Newcastle it could be back to being a long season again.

You could see Marko Arnautovic kicking up a stink in January if that happens, and they’re in trouble if that happens. He is the club at the moment, their shining light. I think Newcastle will edge it because of their confidence.”

Claret and Hugh says: There is no doubt this will be a tough game for the Hammers and Newcastle confidence is at an all-time high after winning three games in a row but don’t write West Ham off just yet. Often I prefer it when the pundits mark us down for a loss as they are rarely right. I predict it will a tight game with the Hammers coming out as the 2-1 winners with Andy Carroll coming off the bench to score the winner against his former club or maybe that is just wishful thinking.

Tell us what you think in our Claret and Hugh poll. Will West Ham win, lose or Draw?