The Top Flight
Fansided

Unbeaten Newcastle can extend run at West Ham

By John Wozniak

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Issa Diop of West Ham United vies with Jose Salomon Rondon of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St. James Park on December 1, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Issa Diop of West Ham United vies with Jose Salomon Rondon of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St. James Park on December 1, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United head to East London on the back of a three-game unbeaten run. The Toon are five points adrift of West Ham going into the game.

Unbeaten Newcastle in good form

The Magpies gave themselves breathing room at the bottom half of the league with two vital wins, albeit against relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City. Rafael Benitez’s side head into Saturday‘s game looking for a third consecutive win, a third clean sheet might not be out of the question.

West Ham United are looking to complete the double over Newcastle. The Hammers won 3-0 at St James’ Park earlier on in the season. Both sides are looking to consolidate their places in the Top Flight.

In Form Longstaff

Sean Longstaff is in good form for the Magpies, playing in the middle of the park alongside Isaac Hayden. The 21-year-old is on the shortlist for the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for February. Sergio Aguero, Sadio Mané and Virgil van Dijk are also on that short list. Since signing a four-year deal in December, Longstaff has made eight appearances for Newcastle, scoring one in the 2-0 midweek win against Burnley. Longstaff is in good hands with a very experienced head coach.

One of Newcastle’s strengths has been their ability to keep the ball out of the net. They have the fifth best defensive record in the league. Martin Dubravka has kept nine clean sheets. To put that in context, Arsenal have managed five clean sheets all season. Fabian Schar has been a key figure in the Newcastle back four. Schar took his tally to three goals for the season after scoring a 25-yard rocket in midweek.

Miguel Almiron looks to have settled into his new side. The Paraguay international has brought plenty of energy to the Newcastle starting XI. Almiron looks set to make his fourth start since his arrival from the MLS.

Benitez’s decision to take Newcastle to Spain for a training camp looks to be paying off. A woeful start to the season looks to be behind them, but Benitez knows that his team must press on in their 10 remaining games of the season.

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