Newcastle vs West Ham United Predictions

• Guimaraes has scored eight of his nine league goals in his 14 home appearances
• Five of West Ham’s last six games have seen more goals scored in the second half
• 66% of the home goals Newcastle have conceded have come after half-time
• 11 of West Ham’s 18 league trips have featured under 1.5 first-half goals

Can Hammers get the jump on Spurs?

With Tottenham’s next game delayed until midweek due to Chelsea’s FA Cup commitments, West Ham have the chance to spend at least a couple of days outside the drop zone. A victory on Sunday would lift them out of the bottom three a week shy of the final day of the season.

Hosts Newcastle are essentially just playing for local pride, as they look to leapfrog rivals Sunderland. However, their two derby defeats suggest that isn’t as important to the playing squad as it is to the fans in the stands.

Guimaraes could stand out for hosts

While Newcastle have disappointed this season, Bruno Guimaraes seems like the kind of player who will want to deliver for the home support.

The Brazilian has scored eight of his nine Premier League goals this season at St James’ Park, and he’s likely their first choice penalty taker now that Anthony Gordon isn’t featuring in the squad.

Guimaraes could double-figures for the first time in his career, and he’ll want to do that in front of their home support. With a strike rate of eight goals in 14 home league appearances, along with the added boost of a potential spot-kick, Guimaraes is good value for a goal this weekend.

Action could pick up after half-time

Five of West Ham’s last six games and five of Newcastle’s last seven have each featured more goals in the second half than the first, and that could be the case again this weekend.

The Magpies have scored 19 of their 33 home goals after the break this season, while 66% of the goals they’ve conceded have come after the break. West Ham have shipped 38 of the 62 goals they’ve conceded this term after half-time, and 61% of their away goals have also come in the second half. The visitors have endured six goalless first halves on the road this term, and 11 of their 18 first-half trips have featured fewer than two goals.

The Hammers will likely come here looking to frustrate, and Newcastle’s track record doesn’t suggest they’ll break through early. With the hosts aiming to restore some pride and the Hammers desperate for survival, both sides have reason to go for it after conceding the first goal. Their respective records suggest that will come later, so back the goals to flow after half-time.