Newcastle United dealt another blow without kicking a ball ahead of West Ham United clash

Newcastle United have fallen three positions in the Premier League table ahead of Monday night’s visit to West Ham United (8pm kick-off).

Eddie Howe’s side began the weekend in sixth but wins for Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa, and a point for AFC Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur have seen them drop to ninth.

Joao Pedro scored a 98th-minute penalty to hand Brighton a 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday before later in the day Ollie Watkins’ goal was enough to earn Villa a victory at Brentford.

Bournemouth were leading 2-0 away to Spurs on Sunday afternoon and while they surrendered their lead, the point was enough to put them above the Magpies on goal difference.

It caps off a week where nothing has gone right for Howe & Co after losing Anthony Gordon to a three-match ban and Lewis Hall and Sven Botman to longer-term injuries. The visit to the London Stadium is now a big test of character.

Furthermore, 1-0 wins for Nottingham Forest and Chelsea against Manchester City and Southampton, respectively, increased their grip inside the top four. Forest are seven points ahead of Newcastle in third while fourth place Chelsea hold a five-point advantage.

That said, fifth position will likely be enough to secure Champions League qualification due to UEFA coefficient rules, and Newcastle can move level points on with fifth place Manchester City if they manage to beat the Hammers.

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A draw would see United move up to seventh, a point above Bournemouth and Aston Villa on goal difference.

Defeat at the London Stadium would mean Howe’s men stay ninth in the table and risk dropping to 10th or losing ground on their European rivals next weekend.

After Monday, Newcastle aren’t in Premier League action until April 2 due to their involvement in the Carabao Cup final and the March international break.

Newcastle have lost four of their last six Premier League fixtures and visit a West Ham side who have back-to-back games under new boss Graham Potter. The Hammers also won the early season meeting at St James’ Park 2-0.

"It is a huge game for us - that can’t be lost,” said Howe at his pre-match press conference. “We can’t lose the focus on the Premier League.

"The focus has been very good from the players this week. I see a determination to do well in the game. It's always a tough place to go, but we are looking forward to the challenge."

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