West Ham United play host to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday night.
Both West Ham and Newcastle desperately need a win, but for very different reasons as the Premier League enters the final 11-game stretch.
Graham Potter is looking to make it three league wins in a row to keep alive hopes of a top-10 finish, whilst Eddie Howe’s men need all three points in order to breath fire back into their push for the Champions League places.
Paul Merson has predicted a 2-0 win for West Ham against Newcastle at the London Stadium on Monday night.
Newcastle do have a really lengthy injury list, with some key players set to miss out.
And the Toon may well have one eye on the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool six days after the Hammers clash as well.
Potter will know that this game represents a big chance to really lay down a marker.
However, the Hammers head coach will also be well aware that the Magpies will be no pushovers.
Newcastle injury list gives West Ham a big chance
Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascalles will all miss the Hammers game through injury.
Meanwhile, Kieran Tripper are Alexander Isak were believed to be doubts as well, whilst Anthony Gordon is suspended.
On the flip-side, the Hammers are set to welcome back Lucas Paqueta for the visit of Newcastle.
Vladimir Coufal could be back involved in the squad as well, whilst Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug are back in training.
Things are looking up for West Ham, but we all know that Newcastle will still represent a really stern test, with or without some of their key men.
And now the Magpies have been handed a real shot of confidence ahead of the game.
Newcastle get monumental boost ahead of West Ham showdown
So it seems like the Toon have been given some much-needed good news ahead of the clash in East London on Monday night.
That’s because Eddie Howe has all but confirmed Alexander Isak will be fit to play against West Ham.
Howe spoke to reporters and responded when asked about the Swedish superstar, as quoted by The Independent:
“He’s fine,” Howe said. “He came off feeling fatigued, a tightness in his body. But he’s trained every day this week. We still have two more training sessions before Monday night’s game but at the moment that would be enough. Fingers crossed we can keep everyone else fit.”
Having the 25-year-old fit and available for the West Ham cash will be a major boost for Newcastle.
He is arguably the best striker on the planet right now, and if he is fit to start, the Hammers defenders had better be on top form if they expect to take anything away from the game.
