Newcastle United are surging. For much of the season, the Magpies were languishing around the bottom of the table, but their fortunes have turned around in recent weeks. They are now up to 13th in the table, and it looks like they will be here to stay. Meanwhile, West Ham United are lodged firmly in the middle of the table. The Hammers are currently in 10th place, but they can move ahead of Everton with a win here.
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EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
West Ham United +106
Newcastle United +264
Draw +246
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
The Magpies are on a three-match results streak. Newcastle were a bit unlucky to lose to Tottenham at the beginning of the month, but they have picked up a draw and two wins since that defeat. They went on the road and picked up a point against Wolverhampton, and they would have earned a win if not for a Wolves penalty late in extra time. Newcastle left nothing to doubt in their last two matches though, beating both Huddersfield Town and Burnley FC 2-0.
West Ham have had a lot of trouble scoring in recent weeks as injuries have stripped them of their best offensive options. The Hammers have scored just four goals in their last seven league games, and they haven’t been able to score multiple goals in a league game in two months. Credit to their defense for managing to go 2-2-3 during this stretch, but this is a difficult spot.
The first meeting between these two teams ended with a West Ham wipe. The Hammers went into Newcastle and secured a 3-0 win with Chicharito notching a brace and Felipe Anderson piling on with a goal in the third minute of extra time.
Key Injuries
Carlos Sanchez and Andriy Yarmolenko have both been declared out for the rest of the season, and West Ham are still waiting to see whether or not Jack Wilshere will be lost for the year too. He is still undergoing tests to determine if he can return at some point. Winston Reid, Arthur Masuaku, and Aaron Cresswell have all been declared out and there is no timetable on when they may return, while Benjamin Johnson and Fabian Balbuena Gonzalez are doubtful. Fortunately, they may get leading scorer Marko Arnautovic back here.
Ciaran Clark and Rob Elliot are both going to miss this match on the side of Newcastle United, while Jonjo Shelvey is listed as questionable because of a thigh injury.
Player to Watch
Bringing over Miguel Almiron from the MLS has given Newcastle United a spark. Even though he has been unable to get on the scorer’s sheet, he has made his presence felt, and he is wreaking havoc on opponents’ back lines. Almiron was the most expensive signing in club history last month, and he received a standing ovation at the end of Wednesday’s game for his performance. He will look to nab his first goal here.
Prop Bet – Newcastle United Clean Sheet +309
Given West Ham’s scoring issues, there is a lot of value in this bet. If Arnautovic doesn’t play, the Hammers will really be hurting, and Newcastle can hold them at bay. The Magpies have shut out their last two opponents and nearly shut out Tottenham and Wolves, so this is a great play.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
The injury situation has me doubting West Ham. It’s hard to win as a mid-tier club with so many players injured, and I think that bites them here.
English Premier League Odds: Newcastle United 1, West Ham United 0
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