This is how Eddie Howe will approach this West Ham v Newcastle match | OneFootball

It is West Ham v Newcastle up next.

Easy to forget about this Premier League game with so much focus on the trip to Wembley that follows.

So how will Eddie Howe approach Monday night?

You actually have to go back over six years to when Newcastle United last lost away to West Ham.

Indeed, until the St James’ Park defeat in November 2024 to the Hammers, Newcastle had lost only one of their last ten Premier League games against West Ham.

That one defeat came in the final throes of the Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce era, the opening day of the 2021/22 Premier League season seeing Newcastle lead 2-1 at St James’ Park. However, with Bruce not even having his team/squad properly fit for the start of the season, the Hammers scored three second half goals as a visibly knackered NUFC failed to have a single shot on target after the break.

Returning to the question of how Eddie Howe will approach Monday’s match.

I have seen plenty of Newcastle United fans suggesting this or that player will be looked after, kept for the Carabao Cup Final etc etc.

I totally disagree.

I think for sure, Eddie Howe will play his very strongest available Newcastle team against West Ham.

After the last two matches ending in defeat to Liverpool and Brighton, I don’t think Newcastle United can just stumble on towards that Wembley appearance.

I think that especially when you add the news of key players such as Hall and Gordon having been ruled out, Newcastle United really need a big performance and hopefully win against West Ham to then get some much needed renewed momentum and confidence going into the Liverpool final.

It is also easy to forget that Newcastle United are only two points off fifth and Champions League qualification with 11 PL games remaining.

Three points off West Ham would put NUFC in a very strong position in the Premier League ahead of when matches resume in April, when Newcastle will have three home games and an away trip to Leicester, in their four Premier League matches that follow the West Ham one.

My feeling is that the Newcastle team v West Ham will be Eddie Howe’s best available first choice eleven AND the one that he intends to play in the Carabao Cup Final as well.

The remaining Newcastle United match schedule:

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 16 March – Newcastle v Liverpool (4.30pm) Carabao Cup final Sky Sports

Wednesday 2 April – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm)

Monday 7 April – Leicester v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 13 April – Newcastle v Man U (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 16 April – Newcastle v Palace (7.30pm)

Saturday 19 April – Villa v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 26 April – Newcastle v Ipswich (3pm)

Saturday 3 May – Brighton v Newcastle TBC

Saturday 10 May – Newcastle v Chelsea TBC