West Ham defender Max Kilman has praised manager Graham Potter’s decision to use a back three formation, stating that it has improved the team’s performance in both defense and attack. The Hammers have won their last two matches, including a 1-0 victory over Arsenal and a comfortable 2-0 win against Leicester City. Currently sitting in 15th place with 33 points, West Ham will face Newcastle United in their next Premier League test.
Unlike Newcastle, West Ham did not play in the FA Cup last weekend, giving them a fresher advantage going into the game. Kilman expressed his enjoyment of the new formation, highlighting the support of his teammates and the challenges it presents. He emphasized his commitment to following the manager’s instructions and his desire to continue learning and improving as a player.
Newcastle, on the other hand, suffered a defeat in the FA Cup against Brighton and have lost their last two away games in the Premier League. Despite starting the weekend in sixth place and being within reach of the Champions League spots, they are currently dealing with several injuries and suspensions. Anthony Gordon will be absent due to suspension, while Sven Botman joins Lewis Hall on the injury list. Hall, who broke a bone in his foot, expressed his disappointment at missing crucial upcoming games and the EFL Cup final.
In terms of players to watch, Aaron Cresswell stood out for West Ham in their previous match against Leicester City. Although he didn’t get an assist, Cresswell was a constant threat, creating the most chances and having the most touches and passes on the team. For Newcastle United, Harvey Barnes has a strong record against West Ham, scoring six Premier League goals against them, with three of those coming as a substitute.
The match prediction favors Newcastle United, as they are unbeaten in their last five Premier League away games against West Ham. Although West Ham won their previous encounter 2-0, they have not completed a Premier League double over Newcastle since the 2018-19 season. Newcastle has recently suffered heavy defeats against Manchester City and Liverpool in their away games, but West Ham’s low shot conversion rate and low proportion of shots on target could work in their favor.
According to Opta’s win probability, West Ham has a 31.5% chance of winning, while a draw is at 26.1% and Newcastle United has the highest probability of winning at 42.4%.
