Newcastle vs West Ham live
Newcastle come off the high of reaching the Carabao Cup final in midweek to continue their push for a top four spot on Saturday when they host West Ham.
Victory over Southampton in Tuesday’s second leg ensured a 3-1 aggregate win to take the Magpies to the final at Wembley, where they’ll face Manchester United later this month.
However, influential midfielder Bruno Guimaraes picked up a red card against the Saints and will begin a three-match suspension at the weekend.
West Ham have struggled for form all season but have managed a handful of recent wins in the FA Cup and over fellow scrappers Everton.
Newcastle predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-3-3)
GK: Nick Pope – Comfortably out in front in the Golden Glove race, having already kept 12 clean sheets. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is second with nine.
RB: Kieran Trippier – Seems to only be getting better and better as a combative defender while conjuring attacking opportunities at the other end.
CB: Fabian Schar – Has an eye for the spectacular from distance and has one league goal so far this season.
CB: Sven Botman – The summer acquisition has played a major role in fine-tuning a Magpies defence that was still excellent during the second half of last season.
LB: Dan Burn – Pulled off his best Paul Gascoigne impression to celebrate Newcastle reaching the Carabao Cup final in midweek. Getting his suit measured.
CM: Joelinton – Will hope to be closing in on a maiden Brazil call-up for two friendlies in March, though the Selecao remain without a manager since Tite’s exit.
CM: Sean Longstaff – The hero Newcastle needed to score twice in the first half against Southampton, giving his side a healthy lead the Saints couldn’t overturn despite Che Adams’ strike and Guimaraes’ red card.
CM: Joe Willock – Is the natural replacement for Guimaraes in midfield and his darting runs from midfield will add some goal threat. Elliot Anderson is also in contention.
RW: Miguel Almiron – Almiron’s hot streak in front of goal is firmly at its end, having not scored for eight games in all competitions, but he remains a crucial part of Newcastle’s starting XI.
ST: Callum Wilson – Remains the senior striker ahead of Alexander Isak but hasn’t scored since Premier League football returned following the World Cup.
LW: Anthony Gordon – The new arrival from Everton could be put straight into the team ahead of Allan Saint-Maximin, who hasn’t been a regular starter this season.
