Defensively poor Hammers could be exposed at Newcastle

3pm Saturday

Newcastle are on the brink of winning four league games in a row for the second time this year and can succeed by beating West Ham at St James' Park.

Confidence is growing in the Magpies' ranks and the squad looks healthier with key players Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey closing in on full match fitness.

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Talk of a relegation battle is fading away and could be replaced by thoughts of a top-ten finish if Newcastle can expose a defensively poor Hammers side who haven't kept a clean sheet in eight matches.

Recommendations
Newcastle
1pt 6-4 general

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Team news
Newcastle
Jonjo Shelvey, Yoshinori Muto, Jamaal Lascelles, James Sterry and Karl Darlow have taken part in full training this week and could make the squad. Only Florian Lejeune (knee) is sidelined.

West Ham
Marko Arnautovic (hip) has been passed fit and Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere are available. Robert Snodgrass returns from suspension but Ryan Fredericks, Manuel Lanzini, Winston Reid, Carlos Sanchez and Andriy Yarmolenko are injured.

Key stat
West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight games.

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