Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.
Chris Sutton speaking as United prepare for their 57th match of the season.
Newcastle United hosting West Ham with two games to go.
A 5.30pm kick-off on Sunday as Eddie Howe looks to make it three matches unbeaten after the win over Brighton and draw at Forest.
A final home game of the season for Newcastle United
The BBC Sport pundit declaring: “Newcastle were very poor when they lost at London Stadium in November and you wouldn’t say they are in much better form at the moment. Magpies boss Eddie Howe realises the importance of finishing the season strongly for his own future and I don’t see his side losing this.”
As Chris Sutton says, it has been a tough end to the season for Newcastle.
The two wins over Man U and Chelsea gave hope of a strong finish to the Premier League campaign, only for four league defeats to follow. The four points in these last two games have stopped the rot but the late Forest goal has prevented any moderate feel good factor that might have been possible, fans wondering about the possibility of ending the season with four victories in a row and maybe even sneaking into a European place.
Sunday’s reality is that for neutrals it will be all about our opponents and the relegation battle with Tottenham.
The BBC Sport pundit stating: “I don’t feel sorry for West Ham after their defeat by Arsenal last week. It was a foul on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya for their goal which was disallowed, and the fact they are in the relegation zone is because of the way they have played all season. Now this is an enormous game for the Hammers, and it is an absolutely ‘must-win’ for them. West Ham will be absolutely desperate to get the win, but I am going for a draw and, if anyone does win it, it will be Newcastle.”
It feels like a draw wouldn’t do either club any favours.
West Ham surely need to win on Sunday if they are to stand a realistic chance of avoiding relegation.
As for Eddie Howe and his players, only a home victory would feel like any kind of a positive in this last St James’ Park match of the campaign.
Chris Sutton predicting a 1-1 draw which would leave both sets of fans drowning their sorrows post-match. The only consolation of course for Newcastle fans would be that it isn’t their club that has made relegation all but a certainty.
When the BBC Sport pundit declares “Eddie Howe realises the importance of finishing the season strongly for his own future”, I don’t believe that there is now any chance of the Newcastle United owners looking to replace the manager this summer. I think it is more a case of Eddie Howe and the team needing to finish the season with positive results and performances to help restore a little bit of momentum, confidence and self-belief ahead of a huge summer and the 2026/27 season that follows.