Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham take on Newcastle United in the Premier League at St James’ Park. The game takes place on Monday, November 25, 2024, with kick-off at 8:00 P.M. Last Word on Football brings you a West Ham predicted lineup.
West Ham predicted lineup vs Newcastle United
How West Ham Have Lined up Recently
Prior to the match away at The City Ground, Alphonse Areola has started every Premier League match for West Ham so far this season, keeping one clean sheet in nine matches. That said, due to a knock for the French international, Lukasz Fabianski started for Lopetegui’s side. The 39-year-old made three saves in the game yet only made 20% of the long balls he played. Fabianski after the goalless draw to Everton now has as many clean sheets in the Premier League this season as Areola, and more in all competitions, due to the 1-0 home win over Bournemouth.
The back four was altered to a back three against Nottingham Forest with Lopetegui playing Konstantinos Mavropanos alongside Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman. Albeit, we expect Lopetegui to revert to a back four with Emerson as left-back, Kilman and Todibo as the centre-back partnership and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as right-back.
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The midfield has also been consistent, with Lopetegui preferring two defensive midfielders. This has usually been between Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez, with Tomas Soucek alternating between them both. Soucek started against Everton alongside Rodriguez due to Alvarez’s red card against Nottingham Forest where he got yellow cards in close concession.
Mohammed Kudus has consistently played alongside Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen in attacking midfield, but due to his suspension, Crysencio Summerville will be expected to play instead. Summerville, who joined from Leeds United in the summer scored the opening goal against Manchester United and has been impressive in other performances in which he has started. Michail Antonio is the man up front for West Ham who is preferred by Lopetegui, with Fullkrug being out with an injury, yet Fullkrug’s injury situation has been downgraded to a ‘doubt’ for their next clash.
West Ham Recent Form and Tactics
West Ham have been in a very mixed period of form. In their last six matches, Lopetegui’s side have won two, drawn two and lost two. These wins came against Ipswich Town and Manchester United, with the latter resulting in Erik ten Hag being sacked from his job. In their away day, they slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, who currently sit 3rd in the Premier League after ten matches. It was a match to forget for the manager, who found his side dominated, conceding 19 shots and six shots on target.
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In their last match, which came at the start of the month, West Ham drew 0-0 against Everton. Despite the Toffees having more shots, the Hammers had more shots on target, yet neither side was close to scoring. The Irons almost scored in the 93rd minute, when Danny Ings’ shot was deflected. This forced Jordan Pickford into a save to tip the shot just over the bar.
West Ham Injuries to Consider
The Hammers will have two players injured for their away visit to St. James’ Park. Kudus will miss the game through a suspension after receiving a red card against Tottenham back on October 19th. Due to the nature of his red card, the attacker had his suspension extended to five matches. He will be back after the home game against Arsenal next weekend.
Another player who is still injured is Niklas Fullkrug, who has been sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury, with Lopetegui saying that ‘he started with a little injury but step by step it has become more complicated, and it’s true that now he needs new treatment”. His last game was a 5-0 win over Hungary in the Nations League. There is no expected return date as of now.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle United
GK – Fabianski
LB – Emerson
CB – Kilman
CB – Todibo
RB – Wan-Bissaka
CM – Soucek
CM – Rodriguez
LW – Summerville
CM – Paqueta
RW – Bowen
ST – Antonio
