After beating Manchester United over a month ago, West Ham United have now picked up just two points from their last four league games, losing to Everton and Crystal Palace in the process.
They only managed to register a point against Sheffield United last weekend, and will look to get back to winning ways when they welcome Steve Bruce’s Newcastle side to London this weekend.
The Magpies themselves have won just one of their last six league games and only managed to register a point against Wolves at home in the last game. They have lost three of their last four games away to the Hammers, failing to score a single goal on all three occasions.
But Manuel Pellegrini’s men have dropped more points from winning positions than any other team in the competition, which will give the visitors some hope.:
West Ham United Team News
In early team news, Xande Silva and Lukasz Fabianski remain sidelined ahead of this game.
Winston Reid and Jack Wilshere are coming back from injuries and might not be risked, while Michail Antonio will apparently be back to training during the upcoming international break.
Predicted West Ham Lineup vs Newcastle United
Defence
Roberto Jimenez has been decent at the back for West Ham this season. He will hope to keep his first clean sheet of the season against a struggling Newcastle attack this weekend.
Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop worked well as a pair against Sheffield last weekend. They could keep Angelo Ogbonna out of the lineup this weekend as well, but have a tricky customer in Joelinton to mark in this game.
Ryan Fredericks could replace Pablo Zabaleta at right-back while Arthur Masuaku, who did not make the squad last weekend, should replace Aaron Cresswell at left-back, adding some attacking threat on the flank.
Midfield
Declan Rice has been one of the first names on the team sheet for Pellegrini this season. The English ace will start in the deepest of the midfield roles while Mark Noble will add some mettle to the midfield in a slightly advanced role.
Robert Snodgrass scored just before the break against Sheffield United, but was not at his best on the night. However, he deserves to keep his place in the West Ham lineup, adding creativity to the side.
Felipe Anderson could be the danger man for Newcastle United. He will start on the left flank and will be up against De Andre Yedlin and Fabian Schar (back from a suspension) in this game. Andriy Yarmolenko adds a different dimension to the West Ham attack, and could keep his place in the side on the right-wing.
Attack
Sebastien Haller remains the best option for Pellegrini to lead the line for West Ham. The French striker drew blanks in the last couple of games and will have it tough against a backline of Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez for the visitors.
Here is how they might line up:
