Newcastle United - West Ham United predictions and free betting tips [30/03/2024]

On Saturday, 30th March, as part of the 30th round of the EPL, Newcastle United will host West Ham on their home ground. The Magpies' dream of winning the FA Cup ended with a quarter-final exit from Manchester City two weeks ago, while the Londoners played out a 1:1 draw at home with Aston Villa.

Predicted Line-ups

Newcastle United: Dubravka; Livramento, Schär, Lascelles, Murphy; Willock, Guimarães, Longstaff; Almirón, Isak, Gordon.
West Ham: Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson; Soucek, Phillips; Bowen, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Antonio.

Newcastle United

After returning to the elite of English football last season, Newcastle in the current one is less impressive. At the moment, the Magpies occupy the 10th place in the Premier League, trailing the top six teams by 7 points. As a result, the stripes will probably remain without any European cups at the end of this campaign: the hosts have only won one of their last 4 league games and lost to Chelsea in the last round with a score of 3:2. Just before the international break, Newcastle were also knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals by Manchester City (2:0): a precise shot from Bernardo Silva in the 13th minute beat Martin Dubravka, after which Sven Botman unfortunately redirected the ball into his own net. Adding insult to injury, Eddie Howe's team conceded at least twice in seven out of their last nine rounds, only managing to keep a clean sheet once in 2024.

The Newcastle line-up is still weakened by injuries to first-choice goalkeeper Pope, defender Trippier and experienced forwards Joelinton, Barnes and Wilson (7 goals). They have been joined in the infirmary by centre-back Sven Botman. Finally, Italian midfielder Tonali continues to serve a lengthy suspension related to his involvement in a sports betting scandal. Winger Gordon (9 goals and 5 assists), who was called up to the England squad during the international break, may start this Saturday, as might Swedish forward Isak (11 goals). Jacob Murphy is set to once again play in the right full-back position, while Brazilian Bruno Guimarães will be responsible for creativity in midfield.

West Ham

Currently 7th in the Premier League and leading their upcoming opponents by 4 points, West Ham remain in the race for the European cups zone. After a string of unsuccessful results, the Hammers have redeemed themselves in the eyes of supporters, as evidenced by their current run of four matches without defeat. First, the visitors thrashed Brentford (4:2) and Everton (1:3), then they shared the points with Burnley (2:2) and Aston Villa in the last round (1:1): Michaĭl Antonio's tidy header was answered by a goal by Nicolò Zaniolo 11 minutes from the end of regular time. In the Europa League, the capital team easily defeated Freiburg (5:1 on aggregate) and will face Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals.

However, in four of their last six away games in all competitions, David Moyes's men have failed to succeed... Substitute winger Maxwel Cornet will miss this weekend due to injury, while holding midfielder Alvarez is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. From the first minutes on the pitch, Lucas Paqueta (3 goals and 5 assists), Kudus (6 goals and 3 assists) and Bowen (14 goals and 3 assists) are likely to appear, with central forward Antonio (3 goals and 2 assists) reprising his role at the spearhead of the attack. Calvin Phillips and James Ward-Prowse should get a chance to return to the visitors' midfield, while French goalie Areola will continue to guard the goal.

Head-to-Head

In their last four Premier League matches against Newcastle, the visitors were unable to win. In October, it took an intervention from Mohammed Kudus in the 89th minute to salvage a 2:2 draw.

Prediction for Newcastle - West Ham match

The international break has come at just the right time for Newcastle, who looked rather flat after their FA Cup fiasco. Howe's men have no choice but to return to their triumphant march at St James Park - otherwise their chances of making it to the European cups will finally evaporate. West Ham are struggling with performances away from home, and the team's main holding midfielder Alvarez is suspended. I'll take a gamble on a home victory for the Magpies.