Some surprisingly optimistic opinions abounding at Claret and Hugh this week. After back to back Premier League wins, West Ham entertain Newcastle looking for three-wins – in – a row for the first time this season. The Magpies will be preoccupied with their Wembley final on Sunday but offer a big challenge, sitting in sixth place in the Premier League and with several players who we know just love to score against West Ham.
Hammers head coach Graham Potter can be cautious and opt for the ‘same again’ team selection in a 3-5-2 formation or be more bold with a third attacker in a 3-4-3.
Just at present, with our ‘guess’ as to his formation, we’d say sadly caution is likely to win the day so expect a more defensively-minded starting eleven with three centre backs and wing backs. The big decision will hinge on Lucas Paquetá’s fitness.
Claret and Hugh’s predicted starting XI
Areola | Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell| Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Paquetá, Alvarez, Scarles | Bowen Kudus
With Ward-Prowse dropping to the bench from the Leicester City team selection providing Lucas Paquetá is fit. Expect West Ham to morph to a more aggressive 3 attackers at some stage with Ferguson replacing one of the defensive midfielders.
Scores
Sean 1-0 West Ham win
Gonzo 2-0 West Ham win
Matt 1-0 West Ham win
Martin 2-1 West Ham win
Remember to check back at 6.45 for the published starting eleven. We’ll bring you Gonzo’s player ratings and a final score report as soon as the game is over.
He should go for whoever the most aggressive formation is, so Paqueta definitely and make sure the tackles are a bit edgy Newcastle won’t want to lose players for the cup final so might as well get into them and test how much desire they have to take risks. If we sit back and make it easy for them then I will be very disappointed.
Well done lads a clean sweep. I could never predict a loss personally and as we beat them 2-0 at their place in the reverse fixture I’m going to go with 2-0 to Newcastle this time around. No only joking. 3 nil to us is my prediction. An extra goal on account of playing at home and having had two clean sheets back to back in previous games.
I’m going with you Martin West Ham 2-1 Newcastle.
I’ve looked at the form tables, we’re ahead of Newcastle in the last 4 games, slightly ahead on last 6 games but increasingly behind last 8 10 and 12 games.
Newcastles form has declined and ours has improved so Im going 2-1 Irons.
fingers crossed…