David Moyes looks set to make one big West ham change for the Premier League clash with Newcastle after making a call on Kalvin Phillips.
West Ham make the long trip north to Newcastle for what is a six-pointer in the race for the Premier League’s European places.
The Magpies welcome the Hammers to St James’s Park in what is the first game of the Premier League weekend after the international break.
Seventh placed West Ham go into the game four points and three places above Newcastle.
Hammers have chance to take big step to European spot
West Ham’s position will be good enough for a fourth consecutive European qualification.
Newcastle will be determined to try and close that gap on the Hammers, who could increase it to seven with a victory.
Although Eddie Howe’s side do have a game in hand.
David Moyes has been given a helping hand ahead of the game with Newcastle being hit by genuine injury crisis ruling out six and possibly nine key players.
Moyes will be missing absolutely key midfielder Edson Alvarez through suspension.
As a result the focus has been on who will replace him.
It looks like more bad news for Phillips unless Paqueta is out
We predict Moyes makes one big West Ham change for Newcastle after a Kalvin Phillips call.
And unfortunately for the Man City loan signing, it looks like bad news.
Moyes will want James Ward-Prowse in the side for set pieces given Newcastle are putting out a patched-up side.
That means Ward-Prowse – dropped for the Villa game last time out – comes back in to replace Alvarez.
Moyes said Lucas Paqueta is being assessed ahead of the game. We expect him to start. But if he doesn’t then Phillips may get a late call.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Newcastle:
Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio.
The Hammers have a pretty dismal record against Newcastle in the last five years.
West Ham have won just once in the last nine Premier League meetings since 2019. The Irons have lost four of those clashes.
The Euro spots could go down as far as eighth or ninth.
That will depend on whether the Premier League gets the extra Champions League spot and who wins the FA Cup, Europa League and Conference League.
West Ham can still qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.