Newcastle face West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday, and Chris Sutton thinks it could be another good night for the Magpies.
Toon fans are still buzzing after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup heroics, with the Magpies now on their way to Wembley. However, some of that buzz from fans is now being subsided by the dread of trying to buy tickets next week.
But for Eddie Howe and the boys, the focus turns back to the Premier League. West Ham represent tricky opposition this weekend, with David Moyes’ side looking to distance themselves from the bottom three.
Newcastle are at the opposite end of the pitch, and will look to continue their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
A win against the Hammers would do just that, and Chris Sutton thinks that another victory is on the cards – even though Bruno Guimaraes is suspended.
Chris Sutton thinks Newcastle will beat West Ham
The former Chelsea striker has predicted every Premier League game this weekend for BBC Sport, and believes Newcastle are going to beat West Ham 1-0.
“I watched West Ham at Derby in the FA Cup on Monday night – the Hammers made changes and still won but they were very average indeed,” he wrote.
“You kind of know how they will be set up at St James’ Park – to sit in, try to frustrate Newcastle and hit them on the counter-attack – while it will be front football from Eddie Howe’s side.
“Even without Bruno Guimaraes, who is starting his suspension for his red card against Saints in midweek, I think they will find a way through.
“The fact that Newcastle are so watertight at the back really helps when games are tight. We’ve seen it with them a few times this season already when things aren’t perfect with their performance, but they still get the job done.”
Newcastle must step up without Bruno
While Newcastle are playing incredibly well this season, it will be difficult to find a way to win without Bruno. In fact, that is something that the Magpies have failed to do this season.
The Brazilian has missed three games during the current campaign, with Newcastle winning none of them.
In his absence, Joelinton will likely move back inside and play in the middle alongside the in-form Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock. That will create a vacancy out wide, with Howe needing to choose between Allan Saint-Maximin and new signing Anthony Gordon.
As Sutton says, it could be a frustrating game. West Ham will likely come for a point, and look to frustrate the home side. Then it will be up to Newcastle to break them down, which is an area in which Howe’s side need to improve.
Stubborn defences have found a way to keep us out in recent weeks, and Newcastle could face another on Saturday night. But Sutton believes the Magpies will find a way through, and hopefully he is right.
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