‘I’m not sure’ - Alan Shearer ignores Sadiq Khan advice before Newcastle United fixture
Newcastle United are preparing to face a relegation-threatened West Ham United this weekend.
Alan Shearer is backing Newcastle United to beat West Ham United and ease the pressure on Eddie Howe.
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For the Magpies, this weekend marks the first of two dead rubbers as the Premier League campaign draws to a close. Conceding a late equaliser to Nottingham Forest all but ended Newcastle’s faint hopes of European qualification.
But the visitors are fighting for their lives and know a victory would be a huge step towards top-flight survival. West Ham sit two points behind Tottenham Hotspur, who travel to Chelsea on Tuesday.
Alan Shearer makes Newcastle United prediction
Toon icon Shearer expects Newcastle to strike another nail into the Hammers’ coffin at St James' Park. He also noted how the Magpies must win to help change the narrative around Howe’s future.
“West Ham are fighting for their lives,” Shearer told Metro. “They know they have to come up to Newcastle and get something. I’m not sure they will, to be honest.
“I think there’ll be a lot of noise if Newcastle don’t win that game, and for that reason, I’m going to say a Newcastle home win. A lot could be decided this weekend because of the result of this game.”
Sadiq Khan backs West Ham
Earlier this week, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, highlighted how Londoners who do not support Spurs should back the Irons as relegation could impact the taxpayer. The Greater London Authority (GLA) foots the bill for running the stadium and commercial revenues would be affected in the Championship.
Stewarding costs would also be higher due to the additional four home league fixtures. On who he hopes survives relegation, Khan - a Liverpool fan - noted why people should back West Ham as they prepare to visit St James’ Park.
“The previous mayor, Boris Johnson, did the worst deal that could be imaginable,” Khan said. “As far as West Ham are concerned, it’s the deal of the century. He basically gave them, rent-free, for 100 years, this amazing stadium.
“Now if West Ham are relegated, we, the taxpayers, could lose up to £2.5million per year. So what I say to Londoners who don’t support Spurs is that you should probably be cheering on West Ham because the taxpayer will lose out if they go down.”