Alan Shearer verdict on whether West Ham will stay up as top pundits predict Newcastle clash

Top pundits have been predicting the outcome of West Ham’s clash with Newcastle United and Alan Shearer has even delivered his verdict on Nuno Espirito Santo’s chances of keeping the Hammers up.

It sums up the predicament West Ham find themselves in this season that a game at home against a very strong Newcastle side is being seen as a must-win.

The Hammers are already cut adrift in the bottom three just nine games in.

A victory over the Magpies could breathe life into West Ham’s bid to stay in the Premier League as it would reduce the deficit to their next opponents Burnley to three points.

West Ham have won just one game all season so they need to start pulling a few rabbits out of the hat – and quickly.

Newcastle now a must-win for West Ham

By their own high standards, Newcastle have underperformed in the Premier League so far this season.

That should give the Hammers some semblance of hope of getting a positive result.

After damaging defeats to Brentford and Leeds, Nuno Espirito Santo desperately needs lift off against Eddie Howe’s side.

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The Portuguese has told his players the situation is ‘urgent’ and requires ‘drastic improvement’ if the Irons are to survive.

Most West Ham fans aren’t giving their side any hope of a result against Newcastle let alone avoiding relegation.

But what do the pundits think?

Top pundits predict West Ham vs Newcastle clash

Alan Shearer has delivered his verdict on whether West Ham will stay up as top pundits predict the Newcastle clash.

The likes of Paul Merson, The Overlap’s Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports’ top expert and Chris Sutton have also had their say as West Ham welcome Newcastle to east London.

Merson points out West Ham are the worst team in the top flight at home having won just two games at the London Stadium this calendar year.

And even though Newcastle are not the best away from home, he sees nothing but a comfortable 3-1 win for the Magpies to push the Hammers further into the mud.

“West Ham are a team that are the worst in the league when it comes to playing at home and this weekend, they face Newcastle, who have won just one game away from home all season!” Merson told SportsKeeda.

“I don’t think West Ham have won at home since 27 February and that was against a struggling Leicester City, who got relegated in the end.

“The way West Ham have been losing games, it’s alarming. Brentford absolutely destroyed them in their last home game. Newcastle have to deal with a lot of games and a hectic schedule but I can’t see anything but a win for them here.”

Shearer verdict on whether West Ham will stay up

Sutton told BBC Sport West Ham will lose 2-0, giving them little to no hope against a Newcastle side who are far superior and will be competing for trophies this season.

“West Ham, in contrast, are in deep trouble,” Sutton said.

“Nuno Espirito Santo had a free week to work on things on the training ground but whoever he picks, it doesn’t seem to make much difference.

“The Hammers concede a lot of goals from set-plays and I feel as if Newcastle are going to just be too strong for them in every area.”

Sky Sports’ leading football analyst Lewis Jones says West Ham are completely unfit to survive in this season’s Premier League.

And he says Newcastle represent their worst possible opponents as they are the most aggressive side in the country.

“West Ham remain unfit for purpose in this Premier League season as they’ve become a plodding, predictable outfit who are easily bullied,” he said in his Jones Knows column.

“And this is a terrible match-up for them against perhaps the most aggressive and intense team on these shores.

“Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon all will be licking their lips at winning their individual battles and I’m expecting Newcastle to be at it from the first whistle in order to turn the pressure up on the home players in front of their own fans, who have now seen nine games without a win at home, including five defeats in a row.

“Eddie Howe is a marginal gains type of manager and he’ll know a fast start to get the home fans turned will be a key tactic to win this match.”

Shearer: West Ham are getting relegated

Jamie Carragher made his prediction for Super Six on The Overlap, also backing a 3-1 win for Newcastle.

Magpies legend Shearer went one further than merely predicting the game.

He says West Ham will lose but went as far as to state the Hammers are already down.

“I wouldn’t say comfortable for Newcastle, but I think with the form and the pressure that is at West Ham, there seems to be a real discord between fans, owners and players,” Shearer told The Metro.

“Newcastle have to go there and take advantage of that horrible situation. I would hope Newcastle go there and get three points.

“At the minute, I do think West Ham will go down, because I don’t see anything that can tell me differently. With what I’ve seen up to now this season, they will go down if it doesn’t improve dramatically. I would really worry for West Ham fans.”

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