Sabasports Match Preview
Premier League: West Ham United vs Newcastle United
Kickoff Time: 2025-11-02 22:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Craig Brough
West Ham United has been the most disappointing team in the Premier League this season. After nine league rounds, they have managed only four points and are beginning to face a relegation crisis. Due to poor results, the club announced a managerial change at the end of September, with Graham Potter dismissed and former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo taking over. Unfortunately, the change in manager has failed to improve the team’s form. In the last league match, West Ham United lost to newly-promoted Leeds United, showing a complete lack of competitiveness. Currently, West Ham United is grappling not only with tactical issues but also a crisis of confidence. A four-game home losing streak marks the club’s worst home start in its 130-year history. Players have begun to fear receiving the ball on the pitch, afraid of making mistakes. In the last league match, for example, the team committed a total of 10 mistakes. Nuno is attempting to rebuild the defensive system, but it is difficult to change the players’ defensive habits in the short term. The team is slow to track back during transitions from attack to defense. While the squad has quality players like Lucas Paqueta, the team has failed to utilize them effectively or build a coherent tactical system. It is evident that Nuno has not been able to solve West Ham United’s structural problems.
Newcastle United’s league performance has been affected by competing on multiple tournaments, managing only three wins, three draws, and three losses so far. However, the team’s form has picked up recently, with five wins and one loss in their last six matches. During this period, they have beaten strong opponents like Benfica and Tottenham Hotspur, making their results convincing. Based on recent performances, summer transfer deadline day signing striker Nick Woltemade has adapted to the team’s tactics and has scored in the league, Champions League, and EFL Cup. Bruno Guimaraes remains the team’s key player, contributing three league goals. Under manager Eddie Howe, Newcastle United is known for their high-intensity pressing and quick counter-attacks. They excel at using physicality to draw fouls from opponents, disrupting the opposition’s rhythm and buying time for their defense to reorganize. Statistically, the team averages 12.6 fouls drawn per game, ranking third in the league. In the last league match, for instance, opponents Fulham committed 18 fouls. This demonstrates the maturity of Newcastle United’s strategy to win fouls.
Nuno Espirito Santo has been in charge of West Ham United for only about 30 days, leaving limited time for significant tactical overhaul. In contrast, Eddie Howe, appointed Newcastle United manager in November 2021, has steadily improved the team’s performance over several transfer cycles. Facing a struggling West Ham United side, Newcastle United is unlikely to miss the opportunity to secure all three points.
West Ham United‘s Last 5 Games: LLLDL
25-10-25 Leeds United 2-1 West Ham United
25-10-21 West Ham United 0-2 Brentford
25-10-04 Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
25-09-30 Everton 1-1 West Ham United
25-09-20 West Ham United 1-2 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United‘s Last 5 Games: WWWLW
25-10-30 Newcastle United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
25-10-25 Newcastle United 2-1 Fulham
25-10-22 Newcastle United 3-0 Benfica
25-10-18 Brighton 2-1 Newcastle United
25-10-05 Newcastle United 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Head-To-Head Record
25-03-11 West Ham United 0-1 Newcastle United
24-11-26 Newcastle United 0-2 West Ham United
24-03-20 Newcastle United 4-3 West Ham United
23-10-08 West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United
23-04-06 West Ham United 1-5 Newcastle United
Prediction: Newcastle United to win