West Ham vs Newcastle Prediction and Betting Tips

WEST HAM host Newcastle on Saturday from the Premier League. Chris Clark (@ChrisClark1975) shares his verdict.

West Ham vs Newcastle | Saturday 19th February 2021, 12:30 | BT Sport

Newcastle will be looking to win for the fourth consecutive game on Saturday lunchtime, remarkable when you think of their form over the first half of the season. The Toon have been very impressive in recent weeks, however the injury to January signing Kieran Trippier will hit them hard, but also his back-up Javier Manquillo is missing for this match.

This might lead to Newcastle reverting to a back three, as their lack of a right full back could cause some issues. Jacob Murphy may well be asked to fill in and he will probably be up against West Ham's tricky wingers – in-form Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma.

Murphy is 7/1 to be shown a card on Saturday with William Hill, and that seems an interesting price, considering he'll be coming in from the cold, if selected.

Alain Saint-Maximin is a mercurial talent and watching him play is a delight. He will be up against Vladimir Coufal on Saturday; the Czech defender had a terrible game against Leicester (and Harvey Barnes in particular) and was hauled off after an hour's play.

Saint Maximin will be licking his lips, and he will be the Toon Army's outlet on Saturday. The Frenchman is 4/1 to have two or more shots on target and considering I fancy him to get the better of his direct opponent, I think this offers good value.

I cannot mention a Newcastle game without considering Jonjo Shelvey to pick up a card. The man is a walking yellow card, and it all depends on the referee's leniency game-by-game, whether he picks up a yellow or not.

Shelvey, so far this season, has five yellows and a red. He's best priced to be shown a card at 23/10 with Betfair. He'll be up against the dynamic and outstanding Declan Rice, who will be looking to surge past him, as well as the feisty Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park. JonJo won't be able to stop himself!

Best Bets

West Ham vs Newcastle – Jacob Murphy to be shown a card (7/1 William Hill

West Ham vs Newcastle – Alain Saint-Maximin two shots on-target (4/1 Paddy Power)

West Ham vs Newcastle – Jonjo Shelvey to be shown a card (23/10 Betfair)