Chris Sutton predicts winner of West Ham United clash v Newcastle in Premier League for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton has questioned whether West Ham United possess the firepower to trouble Newcastle United in their upcoming Premier League clash at the London Stadium on Wednesday (5 April).
Both teams arrive on the back of victories accompanied by clean sheets, with David Moyes’ side edging past relegation rivals Southampton by a single goal on Sunday (2 April).
Despite the victory, pressure remains on the Scotsman’s job at the London Stadium, with his side sitting just a point above the Premier League relegation zone.
Writing his Premier League predictions for the BBC Sport website, Sutton admitted that Newcastle’s impressive squad depth combined with West Ham’s lack of ambition would result in a 1-0 win for Eddie Howe’s side.
“It is so tight at the bottom that one win makes a massive difference – look at West Ham, who were second bottom before they beat Southampton on Sunday,” he wrote.
“If the Hammers had lost, then there’s a good chance David Moyes would have been sacked but they just about got over the line.
“Newcastle are a much better team than the Saints are, though, and I am really impressed with the way they are playing at the moment.
“The fact they can bring Callum Wilson off the bench shows the quality of their squad and having him and Alexander Isak fighting for their place up front is bringing the best out of them.
“I can see this being a tight affair but will West Ham score? I am going to say no, they won’t. I don’t see them taking the game to Newcastle, so there might be a few grumbles from the home fans if they do lose this one.”
Tough assignment
Although the Hammers edged past the Saints last time out, they face an extremely tough task to get anything from Newcastle in this midweek encounter.
Moyes’ side played some dire football at times on Sunday, but Nayef Aguerd spared the Scotsman’s blushes with a bullet header in the first half.
What was especially worrying was the lack of attacking options whenever West Ham looked to counter-attack.
Danny Ings often looked isolated in attack and struggled to involve himself regularly in the game, while Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen had few options when making the byline down the wing.
If West Ham United are going to trouble a Newcastle defence who have recorded a league-high 13 clean sheets, they will need to tweak their attacking play and commit a few more bodies forward.
Yes, keeping clean sheets is crucial, but the Hammers can’t keep nicking 1-0 wins with the lack of chances they created at the weekend.