Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 13 May 2026 12:17, UK

Newcastle welcome West Ham United to St James’ Park on Sunday, with the visitors in desperate need of Premier League points.

The Hammers fell to a devastating defeat last Sunday, with Leandro Trossard netting a late winner for Arsenal, before Callum Wilson’s injury-time effort was ruled out for a foul on David Raya.

As a result, Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side remain in the bottom three.

Though, they were handed a lifeline on Monday, with rivals Tottenham playing out a 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

With the gap at two points, the Irons will be desperate to take all three as they make the trip up to Tyneside.

Supercomputer predicts result of Newcastle vs West Ham

After a tumultuous period heading into the new year, West Ham were able to turn a corner in 2026.

However, they have not quite been able to pull away from the drop zone, leaving the East Londoners sitting 18th with two games to go.

Heading into Sunday’s clash, Opta‘s supercomputer has made its prediction, and it is far from favourable for West Ham, who have been handed the tag of underdogs.

Allocated a 29.8 per cent chance of taking three points, Nuno’s side are set for a stern test against Newcastle, who will be determined to see out their home campaign on a high note.

But the battle at the bottom could well be set to go to the final day.

Chelsea could hand West Ham a big favour

For rivals Tottenham, it has been a dismal season, with the Lilywhites dragged into the relegation battle.

In any other year, it would have been a time for Hammers fans to rejoice, though this is most certainly not the case this term, with the pair of London clubs going head to head for a spot in the top flight.

Due to the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City on Saturday, Spurs’ fixture against the Blues has been moved to the subsequent Tuesday – a match that could define the outcome of the season for both West Ham and Tottenham.

With Tuesday’s clash in mind, Nuno and his side could be handed one final lifeline, with Chelsea allocated a 47.4 per cent chance of taking victory against Spurs, whose chances sit at 28.5 per cent.

As a result, the battle could go to the final day, with the Hammers taking on Leeds on home soil.

A win against Newcastle could see the Irons lift themselves out of the bottom three until Tottenham face Chelsea, and potentially keep them outside until the final day.

However, despite being handed a lifeline by the supercomputer predictions, West Ham will go into the final day with their destiny out of their control if they fail to beat Eddie Howe’s side on Sunday.