In-form Alexander Isak can achieve never-done-before feat as Newcastle host struggling West Ham – predicted line-ups and talkSPORT commentary

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Newcastle have the chance to close in on the Premier League's top four on Monday when they host West Ham, live on talkSPORT.

Eddie Howe's side headed into the international break in form after beating title challengers Arsenal and high-flying Nottingham Forest. 

They will be hoping to continue that winning run and potentially close the gap on Champions League places as the Hammers make a trip up north.

After results at the weekend, Newcastle know that if they claim three points at St James’ Park, they’ll jump to sixth.

Julen Lopetegui is under pressure and life back in the top-flight has not gone well so far, with his team struggling to improve their poor performances. 

Newcastle vs West Ham: Alexander the Great

Alexander Isak has been in scintillating form for Newcastle. 

The Sweden striker, who scored and assisted over the international break, has found the back of the net in four straight games for the Magpies. 

After a goal against Chelsea in the league and cup, he's followed it up with a winning goal against Arsenal and another strike last time out against Forest. 

He also provided an assist in that game, proving how important he is for his side. 

And his impact is not expected to dwindle against West Ham as he always loves playing against them. 

Isak has scored in all three of his Premier League games against the Hammers, scoring a double in both meetings last season.

No Newcastle player has ever netted multiple goals in three consecutive appearances against the same opponent before. 

In fact, no player from any top-flight team has ever managed to achieve that feat against West Ham. 

• Newcastle have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League games against West Ham (W5 D4) and are unbeaten in all five against the Hammers under Eddie Howe (W2 D3).
• West Ham haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 Premier League games against Newcastle, though they've only failed to score themselves in one of the last 13, with both teams finding the net in each of the last seven meetings between them.

Newcastle vs West Ham: Predicted line-ups

Newcastle could make a change after Sandro Tonali impressed for Italy over the international break, scoring his first Azzurri goal. 

Tonali may come into Howe's side in place of Sean Longstaff to join Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock.

Joelinton played in a more advanced role in the last two games and he is likely to remain there, but it would mean Harvey Barnes continues to start on the bench. 

Isak and Anthony Gordon are mainstays in the Toon attack with Callum Wilson injured and Gordon ahead of Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron in the pecking order. 

In defence, Dan Burn is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, so Lloyd Kelly is likely to come in for a rare start.

But Fabian Schar, Tino Livramaneto and Lewis Hall’s places are pretty nailed on.

As for West Ham, Lukasz Fabianski seems to have taken the No.1 spot from Alphonse Areola and he's expected to keep his place in goal. 

A back four of Aaron Wan-Bisska, Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman and Emerson seem settled after a clean sheet before the international break.

Edson Alvarez is back from suspension and may take Guido Rodriguez's spot behind a pairing of Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta. 

Jarrod Bowen is captain and is a certain starter while Michail Antonio continues up front with summer signing Niclas Fullkrug still injured. 

Crysencio Summerville will have a couple more games to prove himself with Mohammed Kudus suspended up until December. 

• Only against Aston Villa (9) has Newcastle's Harvey Barnes been directly involved in more Premier League goals than he has against West Ham (8 – 6 goals, 2 assists). He's either scored or assisted in each of his last four against the Hammers (4 goals, 1 assist), finding the net in each of the last three.
• Only Jørgen Strand Larsen (16) has made more hold-ups while retaining possession in the Premier League this season than West Ham's Michail Antonio (15). Antonio is retaining possession with 71% of his hold-ups in the competition this term (15/21), the highest ratio of any player to attempt 10+.

Newcastle vs West Ham: What has been said? 

Sven Botman has not played a minute of football since March and he has now spoken about his long recovery process that is still ongoing. 

After beginning to train alongside his teammates again, he said: “It’s definitely the longest time I’ve been out.

“I don’t think there’s any other injuries where you’re out for as long as that. It’s been a physical challenge but also a mental one. 

"The first few weeks were fine after I went back home for rehab and training. I then went to a training centre in Portugal for a few weeks and you then close yourself down from being around the team.

“From the moment I returned to Newcastle, it became really hard in terms of seeing the guys going outside for training and always having to work on your own, running by yourself on a different pitch to your teammates. You always have one eye on them, which was difficult.

“After a few weeks of rehab, you’d feel really positive about everything and then be really negative for a few weeks, struggling mentally. 

"It was quite a tough ride but, at the end, it does make you stronger.”

• Newcastle have won their last two Premier League games, and are looking to win three in a row for the first time since September 2023 – this is the sixth occasion since that they have won twice in a row in the league.
• West Ham have kept just two clean sheets in their last 28 Premier League away games, conceding 66 goals (2.4 per game). Indeed, in 2024, they have conceded more away goals in the top-flight (35) than any side.

Newcastle vs West Ham: talkSPORT coverage 

This Premier League clash will take place on Monday, November 25. 

Kick-off at St. James' Park is scheduled for 8pm. 

talkSPORT will have live and EXCLUSIVE coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham. 

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former Newcastle and West Ham manager Alan Pardew. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

The game will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Newcastle vs West Ham: talkSPORT BET Odds

Match Odds:

Newcastle – 9/20

Draw – 18/5

West Ham – 5/1

talkSPORT Tip: West ham to win or draw & Bowen to score first 18/1 (was 15/)

*odds subject to change

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