Max Kilman believes Graham Potter’s use of a again three units West Ham as much as carry out higher in each defence and assault, with Newcastle United the subsequent take a look at within the Premier League.
After a shaky begin to life below Potter, West Ham have now received every of their final two matches, together with a giant 1-0 win over 10-man Arsenal earlier than a snug 2-0 victory over Leicester Metropolis.
They’re considered one of three groups beginning the weekend on 33 factors, with West Ham sitting in fifteenth.
Having not performed within the FA Cup final weekend, they arrive into the sport brisker than Newcastle, and Kilman is assured they’ll hold bettering.
“I’m having fun with it [the new formation],” Kilman advised West Ham TV. “After all, no matter formation the supervisor needs to play, I’m delighted to be part of it and clearly give my greatest. I’ve acquired nice gamers round me to make it a lot simpler for me.
“The construction provides you that base. Clearly, you’ve acquired the wing-backs that come on ahead, and typically you’re left as a 3, so there’s completely different challenges.
“After all, as a footballer, you wish to play, you wish to do regardless of the supervisor says. You wish to be taught and enhance as a participant.”
A go to from the Magpies on Monday pic.twitter.com/yEeUcIno5l
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 7, 2025
Newcastle, in the meantime, have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton final Sunday and go into Monday’s sport having misplaced their final two Premier League away video games.
They continue to be inside touching distance of the Champions League locations, beginning the weekend in sixth, however are combating accidents – and suspensions – in the mean time.
Anthony Gordon will miss the match via suspension, whereas Sven Botman has been added to their harm record alongside Lewis Corridor, who is ready to overlook the remainder of the season having damaged a bone in his foot.
“It’s gutting, particularly with the video games arising,” Corridor advised the membership’s web site. “There’s a lot to play for till the top of the season, and I used to be trying ahead to them a lot, so it’s devastating, not only for me however having the ability to assist the workforce.
“I really feel like my season’s gone effectively, and it’s come at most likely the worst time. I might wish to proceed taking part in, however we had to take a look at my profession and agree on what was greatest.
“Actually, I might play via something if I might. Clearly, the [EFL] Cup ultimate is an enormous sport [to miss].”
You’ll come again stronger, Lewis! pic.twitter.com/ngnadKNWpY
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 6, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Ham – Aaron Cresswell
Although Aaron Cresswell didn’t get an help in opposition to Leicester Metropolis final trip, he proved a relentless risk for West Ham.
He created two probabilities (essentially the most on the workforce) and had essentially the most touches (136) whereas making an attempt essentially the most passes (136). 33 of these got here within the ultimate third – one other team-high, and no person on the pitch bettered his 28 final-third entries.
Newcastle United – Harvey Barnes
Towards no aspect has Harvey Barnes scored extra Premier League targets than he has in opposition to West Ham (six), with three of his six strikes in opposition to the Hammers coming instead.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE UNITED WIN
Newcastle are unbeaten of their final 5 Premier League away video games in opposition to West Ham (W3 D2), since a 2-0 loss in March 2019 below Rafael Benitez.
Although West Ham received 2-0 at St James’ Park in November, they haven’t accomplished the Premier League double over Newcastle since 2018-19.
The Magpies have misplaced 4-0 to Man Metropolis and 2-0 to Liverpool of their final two Premier League away video games. They final misplaced three in a row on the highway with out scoring in December/January 2020-21 (a run of 4).
West Ham have received their final two Premier League video games (vs Arsenal and Leicester), final profitable three straight in December 2023 below David Moyes.
Nonetheless, solely Southampton (7.5%) have a decrease shot conversion price within the Premier League this season than the Hammers (9%). They’ve additionally hit the bottom proportion of their pictures on course thus far this time period (30%).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
West Ham – 31.5%
Draw – 26.1%
Newcastle United – 42.4%