Former Chelsea and Celtic striker gives ‘massive’ Newcastle United vs West Ham prediction

Chris Sutton believes Newcastle United will “edge” out West Ham and secure all three points this weekend.

A mammoth Premier League clash is being billed as a six-pointer for the European places. As it stands, the Hammers, who have played a game more, sit four points ahead of Newcastle.

A win for Eddie Howe’s side will reignite hopes that the Magpies can enjoy a strong end to the season. Champions League football appears unlikely but, should Newcastle qualify for UEFA’s second-tier competition, they can still claim a solid campaign.

But the Magpies welcome an in-form West Ham outfit boasting talents like Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus. The latter, who scored a last-gasp equaliser in October’s reverse fixture, is an injury doubt but the Irons still have plenty of firepower to threaten.

In his weekly BBC column, former Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea and Celtic striker Sutton predicted Newcastle to come out on top. He said: "Newcastle's hopes of a trophy ended when they were knocked out of the FA Cup before the international break so it feels like a big end to the season for their manager Eddie Howe.

“The same applies to West Ham boss David Moyes too, because there has been plenty of speculation about his future too, as well as criticism from fans. But the Hammers are still in Europe, with a Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen to look forward to, while Newcastle's campaign has unravelled a bit in the past few weeks.

“League position is all Newcastle have to play for now and I don't think Howe can afford to let this campaign peter out. They are four points behind seventh-place West Ham with a game in hand, so a win here would be massive for them.

“And, while Howe's side have not been as strong defensively this season, I still always feel they have a goal in them. That's why I reckon they will edge this.”