Michael Owen has predicted that Newcastle United will slip to a 1-0 defeat against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon at the London Stadium.
The former Magpies’ forward claimed that one goal might be enough for the Hammers to earn all three points, and condemn Steve Bruce’s side to another Premier League defeat.
Owen shared that six goals in their 10 games this season underlines the main problem at St James’ Park, and that Sean Longstaff will be a big miss after picking up a red card in the 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday.
“Six goals in their first 10 league games of the season underlines the problems facing Newcastle and they must do without the suspended Sean Longstaff at the London Stadium,” he wrote in his BetVictor predictions blog.
“The Irons badly need a win to get their season back on track and one goal might be enough to separate the teams on Saturday.”
OPINION
It is hard to predict an eventual winner in this clash between the two Premier League sides. Newcastle have the better recent record than the Hammers, but that will count for nothing at the London Stadium. Both have struggled in front of goal and have problems over what their best sides are in the final third. Now is definitely the right time to play West Ham for Bruce’s men, and if they can go to the capital and frustrate their opposition early on then they could definitely create numerous chances, just like Sheffield United did last time out. The Blades managed to pick up a point despite being dominated for most of the game, and having much less of the ball. For Newcastle to get anything from the game, both Joelinton and Miguel Almiron need to start making much more of a difference for their side, something that could help prove Owen wrong.
