Will Newcastle underline their home strength?
After the end of the March international break, we are now fast approaching the end of the 2023/24 season. In the motherland of soccer, ten matchdays are still on the program, with Matchday 29 opening early on Saturday afternoon in the north of England. In the clash between Newcastle and West Ham, betting odds of under 1.90 are offered on the home side. The Magpies are the clear favorites, with the visitors from London ahead of the hosts in the current table. Newcastle are tenth in the table, while the Hammers are seventh
A strong finish is needed for Howe’s side to keep their small chance of international participation alive. A home defeat against Moyes’ side would probably bury the hopes of even the boldest optimists. The home side’s impressive home strength certainly speaks in their favor, as Newcastle are not just one, but at least two classes stronger at home than away in 2023/24. For this reason, we see good chances of success for the home side in the match between Newcastle and West Ham in the prediction
If you are also interested in betting on the home side, you should definitely take a look at the popular Bwin app, where we have found the best odds for a home win. The match at St. James Park kicks off at 13:30 on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle – Statistics & current form
Newcastle United have never been able to build on last year’s strong performances this season. First of all, the unaccustomed double burden could be used as an excuse, but the international break came in the fall/winter. The reduced workload had no effect on the team’s performance in the domestic championship, and the Howe team and the financially strong investors cannot be satisfied with tenth place in the table. The major injury concerns are certainly a valid reason for the poor results
Newcastle are very strong at home
Another reason for the unsatisfactory table situation is certainly the away record. The Magpies have only won three of their 14 away appearances. In this respect, the performance at home to St. James Park must be significantly better for tenth place to be the bottom line. In fact, the 9-2-3 record at home reads very positively. In total, the Magpies have collected 73% of their points at home, with only Fulham slightly bettering this rate (74%).
If there is the expected home win on Saturday afternoon according to the best-known bookmakers, all of whom are already advertising a Euro 2024 bonus, Newcastle United would achieve ten home wins in their first 15 home games for the first time since 2002/03. What is impressive about the home record is not only the fact that Isak & Co have scored in all home games, but that the defense has also kept a clean sheet on seven occasions.
However, a look at recent results shows that defensive stability has left a lot to be desired since Pope’s departure. In the last eight league games, an average of 4.88 goals have been scored in games involving Newcastle. In this respect, we see value between Newcastle and West Ham at odds of around 2.20 for an over 3.5. Magpies games are currently a guarantee for many goals. The burden of scoring goals is spread across many shoulders, with no fewer than 19 different players having scored a goal for Newcastle in the Premier League this season (only Manchester United surpassed this figure in the 2012/13 season with 20 goalscorers).
Predicted Newcastle line-up:
West Ham – Statistics & current form
The start to the new year has been disappointing for the Hammers. They failed to pick up a single win in their opening six league games, losing each of their last three. The goal difference in these three games was 0:11. David Moyes was criticized despite the successes in recent years, but was able to achieve a temporary turnaround. The Hammers’ form has been on a steep upward curve of late, as SC Freiburg experienced first-hand in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League. With seventh place in the table, the team from the capital is once again sniffing at the international starting places
Goals are guaranteed
West Ham’s upward trend has seen them win two and draw two games in the league recently. What is striking when looking at the most recent results, however, is their susceptibility to conceding goals. Goalkeeper Alphonso Areola has now conceded at least once in nine league games. Only the two relegation candidates Sheffield United (12) and Burnley (11) have kept a clean sheet for longer. Coupled with the very strong Newcastle offense and the Hammers’ improving form, the top tips for the Newcastle v West Ham game predict that both teams will score.
Englishman Jarrod Bowen is mainly responsible for West Ham’s goals, having already scored 14 times. He is just two goals short of the West Ham club record, as no Hammers player has ever scored more than 16 PL goals in a season (Paolo di Canio in the 1999/2000 season). However, the England international is struggling for form, having scored in just one of his last eleven league games (a hat-trick against Brentford).
Predicted West Ham line-up:
Newcastle – West Ham head-to-head comparison / H2H record
The first leg between the two teams took place at the beginning of October. In London, former Dortmund player Alexander Isak scored twice to turn a deficit into a lead, but the Magpies conceded an equalizer shortly before the end at the London Stadium. Howe’s side are relatively clear favorites in the second leg, which can also be seen from the head-to-head. Newcastle have lost just one of their last nine home Premier League games against the Hammers (2:4 in August 2021), compared to four wins and four point-splits.
Newcastle – West Ham betting tip
The visitors from London have recently turned the corner and impressed with good results before the international break. However, West Ham have lost 16 of their last 17 away games against teams from last season’s top four. The Magpies have also lost just one of their last 15 home games against teams from the capital (eleven wins, three draws). No London team has managed to take any points away from St. James Park this season (five wins, 13-1 goals)
These are some of the arguments that make the odds for a home win for Newcastle against West Ham very interesting early on Saturday afternoon. We recommend a stake of six units for this bet. Other betting options include the aforementioned bet on both teams to score and an over 3.5, which has been the case in nine of the last ten Newcastle games (49 goals in total!). Betting odds of over 2.00 offer good value here