Newcastle United will look to stretch their three-game winning streak when they take on West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Things looked pretty bleak for the Magpies when they lost to Brighton at home around mid-October but Rafa Benitez’s side have bounced back and how.
A draw away at Southampton was followed by two homes wins against Watford and Bournemouth before the side beat Burnley away from home time.
West Ham were thumped by Manchester City in their last outing but will be a challenge for Newcastle United.
Newcastle United Team News
Benitez delivered some positive news during his press conference. The trio of Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Yoshinori Muto are all in contention to start.
The left-back area continues to be a worry as Paul Dummett is still not 100 percent fit and is unlikely to play a part.
Karl Darlow will also make a return to the bench after missing the game against Burnley where Freddie Woodman was on the bench.
Predicted Newcastle United lineup vs West Ham United
Defence
Benitez went with a three-man defence against Burnley with Ciaran Clarke, Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar playing as the three centre-backs. Matt Ritchie and DeAndre Yedlin started as the wing-backs.
It’s likely that we’ll see the same formation once again considering Javier Manquillo hasn’t really impressed this season nor is Dummett fit to start. Lascelles could replace Fernandez in the defence but the formation is likely to remain the same.
Martin Dubravka will start in goal as usual.
Midfield
Ki Sung-Yueng has settled in the Newcastle side and though Shelvey is fit, we expect the Korean to keep his place in the team alongside Mo Diame who will provide the drive from midfield.
Ki’s distribution will come in handy as the Magpies will look to take control of the midfield against West Ham.
Ayoze Perez and Kenedy are expected to continue on the wings and drift to the central areas to make way for the wing-backs while going forward.
Attack
Muto is fit but against the likes of Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop, Rondon could be a better fit up top. The South American should lead the line come Saturday.
Rondon
Perez – Ki – Diame – Kenedy
Ritchie – Clarke – Lascelles – Schar – Yedlin
Dubravka