West Ham travel to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday, with kick-off set for 5:30 p.m. BST and the match shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the U.K., NBC/Peacock in the U.S., JioHotstar in India and Stan Sport in Australia, the report says. Jarred Gillett will referee the game with Craig Pawson on VAR, per the report.
Newcastle arrive having been made mathematically safe from relegation and can finish no higher than eighth, according to the report. Eddie Howe’s side drew 1-1 away to Nottingham Forest in their most recent match, with Elliot Anderson scoring late to deny his former club, the report says.
West Ham come to Tyneside still fighting to remain in the Premier League after a controversial defeat at home to Arsenal when a late equaliser was ruled out following a VAR review, the report says. Tottenham drew with Leeds after that game, leaving West Ham two points behind with two matches remaining, per the report.
Injury and team news is mixed, per the report. Newcastle have doubts and absences: Joelinton is rated a doubt with a thigh issue, while Emil Krafth (knee), Tino Livramento (leg), Fabian Schär (ankle) and Lewis Miley (leg) are all listed out. West Ham, however, have a full squad to choose from, the report says.
The report highlights several talking points, including whether West Ham can refocus after the VAR controversy and capitalise on a route to survival that still exists. West Ham beat Newcastle earlier this season — Espirito Santo’s first win as West Ham boss — and matched Premier League title challengers closely in expected goals (1.15 xG vs 1.18 xG) in the previous fixture, the report says.
Eddie Howe’s selection dilemmas also feature in the preview. Anthony Gordon was kept on the bench in the Forest draw in a tactical move, and with Joelinton’s thigh problem Howe may have little option but to start Gordon on the left. The game is Newcastle’s last at St. James’ Park this season and the manager could give departing players a chance to say goodbye, the report adds.
