Newcastle United vs West Ham Prediction: Agony for Irons on Tyneside
Updated May 15, 2026
Updated May 15, 2026
Newcastle United to win at +105 is our pick. The model puts the home win probability at 51%, against the 48.8% implied by the current line, creating a 2.2% edge. Newcastle have little left to chase in the table, but this is their final home match of the season and Eddie Howe has made clear he wants a strong finish in front of the St James' Park crowd.
West Ham arrive in a far more desperate position, still fighting for Premier League survival, but their road attack has gone cold and Newcastle's ability to create chances at home gives the Magpies enough of a matchup edge to justify the plus-money price. Fair price: -104.
Match
Newcastle United vs West Ham United
Kickoff
Sun May 17 - 12:30 PM ET
Venue
St James' Park
Competition
Premier League - GW37
Newcastle ML
+105
Draw / West Ham ML
+275 / +225
Newcastle 51% Draw 24% West Ham 25%
Projected score
2 - 1
Newcastle edge it at home
Reverse fixture
3 - 1
West Ham vs Newcastle, Nov 2025
Best bet
Newcastle United Moneyline
+105
Model edge +2.2%
Confidence
Newcastle United at +105 our pick for this match. The price doesn't treat this as a coin-flip matchup, but there is still value to be found in the home side's moneyline given their recent attacking output. Eddie Howe's team have scored at least twice in four of their last six Premier League games at St James' Park and return home for the final time this season with a chance to end a disappointing league campaign on a more positive note.
West Ham have far more urgency, but urgency alone does not solve their attacking issues. Nuno Espírito Santo's side are 18th and still fighting to stay alive in the relegation battle, yet they have failed to score in their last three Premier League away matches. Jarrod Bowen remains the player most likely to tilt this contest in West Ham's favour, and the Hammers were competitive in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend, but their goals have dried up at the worst possible time, with the Irons going goalless against both Brentford and Arsenal in the last two weeks.
However, Newcastle's defensive numbers are problematic. They have allowed 8.80 xGA across their last five league matches and have repeatedly struggled to manage leads late in games. But West Ham's away attack has not been sharp enough to justify passing on a plus-money home side with superior shot volume, stronger season-long xG numbers and a better chance creation profile at this venue.
Metric Newcastle West Ham
Expected Goals
xG per match
1.56 1.18
Expected Goals Against
xGA per match
1.35 1.60
Recent Attacking Form
Total xG, last 5 league games
8.53 5.80
Recent Defensive Control
Total xGA, last 5 league games
8.80 6.67
Shots
Average per match
13.1 10.4
Shots on Target
Average per match
4.6 3.5
Pressing Intensity
PPDA profile
Front-foot press Compact mid-block
Possession
Season average
52.3% 42.5%
Goals Scored
Premier League season total
50 42
Metrics takeaway
Newcastle have the stronger season-long attacking profile and have created 8.53 xG across their last five league matches. West Ham's recent defensive numbers have improved, but their attack has not kept pace. That makes Newcastle moneyline more appealing than forcing a goals-only market.
Season xG, xGA, possession and goals reflect Premier League data through May 15, 2026. Recent xG and xGA are based on each side's last five league matches.
Newcastle have produced 8.53 xG across their last five Premier League matches, a strong enough attacking return to suggest the front line is still functioning even as results have slipped. The issue has been game control. Howe's side have allowed 8.80 xGA over that same stretch, which is why they have dropped too many points from winning positions and why this projection lands closer to 2-1 than a comfortable home win.
West Ham have generated only 5.80 xG across their last five league games. That is not disastrous, but it becomes more concerning when paired with three straight scoreless Premier League away outings. Bowen, Crysencio Summerville and Taty Castellanos can still threaten in transition, yet the Hammers have not consistently turned that threat into clear finishing sequences on the road. Newcastle are vulnerable enough to concede, but still better placed to dictate the volume of this match.
Tactically, Newcastle should look to use Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali to move West Ham's midfield line before finding the runners between full-back and centre-back. Lewis Hall's return to full fitness matters in that pattern, as does Harvey Barnes' ability to attack a retreating back line if he earns a start. West Ham's route is more direct: protect the middle, break through Bowen and Summerville, and test a Newcastle defence that has not been convincing late in matches. The edge still sits with the home side because they should generate more sustained pressure and more total shots.
Newcastle have received a positive update on Lewis Hall, who has trained this week and is available after a scare in the draw with Nottingham Forest. Joelinton is the key late decision, with Eddie Howe confirming the Brazilian is carrying a slight thigh problem and will be assessed before Sunday. Lewis Miley remains out after fracturing his fibula, while Tino Livramento, Fabian Schär and Emil Krafth are also unavailable.
West Ham boast an almost perfectly clean bill of health heading into this crunch fixture. Adama Traore is questionable with a slight knock, but otherwise Nuno has a full squad to choose from. The Hammers are likely to keep leaning on Bowen, Summerville and Castellanos as their main threat in a game they badly need to take something from, with Pablo, fresh from his controversial foul on Raya in the dying minutes against Arsenal, an option from the bench.
For Newcastle backers, Joelinton's status is the key team-news swing. If he starts, Newcastle gain a more physical ball-winner and carrier in the left half-space, which helps them match West Ham's transition intensity. If he is held out, Jacob Ramsey becomes the likely replacement and the hosts lose some defensive bite, although their attacking ceiling remains intact.
Newcastle United
3-4-1-2 (predicted)
ST
Woltemade
ST
Osula
AM
Joelinton
LWB
Hall
CM
Tonali
CM
Guimarães
RWB
Murphy
CB
Burn
CB
Botman
CB
Thiaw
GK
Pope
West Ham United
3-4-2-1 (predicted)
ST
Castellanos
AM
Summerville
AM
Bowen
LWB
Diouf
CM
Fernandes
CM
Souček
RWB
Wan-Bissaka
CB
Mavropanos
CB
Disasi
CB
Todibo
GK
Hermansen
Subject to currently available data and injury news. Lewis Hall has been cleared to feature for Newcastle, while Joelinton is a late fitness call and could be replaced by Jacob Ramsey. West Ham have a full squad available, with only Adama Traore questionable.
Market Odds Implied Model Edge
Newcastle United ML Best bet
Moneyline
+105 48.8% 51.0% +2.2%
Both Teams to Score
Goal market
-225 69.2% 70.0% Thin
Implied probability from American odds. Model probability from our in-house projection model. Edge = model minus implied. Newcastle odds via bet365 market snapshot.
Newcastle moneyline at +105 is the best bet. West Ham's relegation pressure makes this an uncomfortable favourite spot, and the Hammers have enough attacking talent to keep the match live if Newcastle fail to manage transitions. But the Magpies have the stronger expected-goals profile, greater shot volume and a more reliable home attacking ceiling. At plus money, the Newcastle win price is still slightly better than it should be.
Who is the favorite for Newcastle United vs West Ham United?
Newcastle United are slight favorites at +105, with West Ham United at +225 and the draw at +275.
What is the best bet for Newcastle United vs West Ham United?
Newcastle United moneyline at +105. The model prices the home win at 51% against the 48.8% implied by the current line, creating a 2.2% edge.
What is the predicted score for Newcastle United vs West Ham United?
Newcastle United 2-1 West Ham United. Newcastle have the stronger home attacking profile, but their recent defensive numbers make a West Ham goal realistic.
What time does Newcastle United vs West Ham United kick off?
Kick-off is at 5:30 PM BST, 12:30 PM ET on Sunday May 17. The match is live on Sky Sports in the UK.
What is the latest team news for Newcastle United vs West Ham United?
Lewis Hall has been cleared to feature for Newcastle, while Joelinton is a late call because of a slight thigh problem. West Ham have an almost clean bill of health for the trip to St James' Park. Only Adama Traore is questionable with a knock.
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