The Mag
·25 November 2024
The Mag
·25 November 2024
The Sky Sports column ‘Jones Knows’ has given some interesting analysis and commentary on what is currently the position at Newcastle United.
The column makes predictions on what will happen at certain Premier League matches and also debates other matters/issues at clubs as well.
However, unlike the usual ex-pro predictions, that are usually simply based on how ‘big’ a club is and whether or not they won the previous game, this one has proper analysis and insight, not lazy assumptions.
The Sky Sports ‘Jones Knows’ column looks at the matches from a betting perspective and has been concentrating on this Newcastle United game at home to West Ham.
Lewis Jones (who is the Sky Sports expert behind the ‘Jones Knows’ column) has highlighted some major underlying factors that could / should have a big bearing on this Newcastle v West Ham game.
“What are West Ham under Julen Lopetegui?
“It looks like David Moyes football without the swashbuckling counter-attack style that led the club to some special places under his watch. Lopetegui’s appointment is turning into one of the big mistakes of the summer.
“On the road in 2024, West Ham’s defence have conceded 35 goals in 14 games in the Premier League – that’s an average of 2.5 goals per game and is the worst record of any ever-present Premier League team in that time.
“I’m fully expecting Newcastle to fill their boots here.
“And, Joe Willock looks overpriced to get a goal. His goalscoring threat always remains underrated by the markets.
“Since coming back into the team three games ago, he’s had seven of Newcastle’s 34 shots, meaning he’s been responsible for 21 per cent of all their shot output. I’m expecting him to be to the fore yet again in a game where Newcastle are going to see lots of territory. The 4/1 on him scoring anytime with Sky Bet is a runner.
“Prediction: Newcastle 3 West Ham 1”
Always interesting to hear what the Sky Sports expert has to say with his analysis on Newcastle United matches and as usual, some good stuff there.
A bit of a shift in view here, as Lewis Jones predicted Newcastle to fail to score and lose against Arsenal, then saw no way Eddie Howe’s side could score more than one goal at the City Ground and would lose in that match as well.
Hopefully the Sky Sports man won’t make it a hat-trick of predicting the wrong winner in Newcastle United matches!
So many factors are pointing to Newcastle winning tonight and indeed, maybe even ‘filling their boots’ as the Sky Sports expert says.
Newcastle United have only lost once at home in all competitions since 13 January 2024, whilst West Ham have conceded 35 Premier League away goals in 2024, more than any other Premier League team.
In these last 18 months, Newcastle have failed to score in only two of thirty home matches (all competitions), whilst West Ham have kept only two clean sheets in their last 28 Premier League away matches, conceding a total of 66 goals in those last 28 away games.
In their last ten Premier League matches against Newcastle, West Ham haven’t kept a single clean sheet. Plus, only Liverpool have conceded less Premier League goals this season than the 11 Newcastle United have leaked.
On a cold and windy Monday night at St James’ Park, I fully expect the Newcastle players and fans to be well up for this.
On paper there are so many factors pointing to an NUFC win, now they just have to go out on the pitch and justify these positive factors and predictions.
Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:
Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (3pm)
Wednesday 4 December – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) Amazon
Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports