Max Kilman believes Graham Potter’s use of a back three sets West Ham up to perform better in both defence and attack, with Newcastle United the next test in the Premier League.
After a shaky start to life under Potter, West Ham have now won each of their last two matches, including a big 1-0 win over 10-man Arsenal before a comfortable 2-0 victory over Leicester City.
They are one of three teams starting the weekend on 33 points, with West Ham sitting in 15th.
Having not played in the FA Cup last weekend, they come into the game fresher than Newcastle, and Kilman is confident they can keep improving.
“I’m enjoying it [the new formation],” Kilman told West Ham TV. “Of course, whatever formation the manager wants to play, I’m delighted to be a part of it and obviously give my best. I’ve got great players around me to make it much easier for me.
“The structure gives you that base. Obviously, you’ve got the wing-backs that come on forward, and sometimes you’re left as a three, so there’s different challenges.
“Of course, as a footballer, you want to play, you want to do whatever the manager says. You want to learn and improve as a player.”
A visit from the Magpies on Monday pic.twitter.com/yEeUcIno5l
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 7, 2025
Newcastle, meanwhile, were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton last Sunday and go into Monday’s game having lost their last two Premier League away games.
They remain within touching distance of the Champions League places, starting the weekend in sixth, but are struggling with injuries – and suspensions – at the moment.
Anthony Gordon will miss the match through suspension, while Sven Botman has been added to their injury list alongside Lewis Hall, who is set to miss the rest of the season having broken a bone in his foot.
“It’s gutting, especially with the games coming up,” Hall told the club’s website. “There’s so much to play for until the end of the season, and I was looking forward to them so much, so it’s devastating, not just for me but being able to help the team.
“I feel like my season’s gone well, and it’s come at probably the worst time. I would want to continue playing, but we had to look at my career and agree on what was best.
“Honestly, I would play through anything if I could. Obviously, the [EFL] Cup final is a massive game [to miss].”
You’ll come back stronger, Lewis! pic.twitter.com/ngnadKNWpY
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 6, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Ham – Aaron Cresswell
Though Aaron Cresswell did not get an assist against Leicester City last time out, he proved a constant threat for West Ham.
He created two chances (the most on the team) and had the most touches (136) while attempting the most passes (136). 33 of those came in the final third – another team-high, and nobody on the pitch bettered his 28 final-third entries.
Newcastle United – Harvey Barnes
Against no side has Harvey Barnes scored more Premier League goals than he has against West Ham (six), with three of his six strikes against the Hammers coming as a substitute.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE UNITED WIN
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five Premier League away games against West Ham (W3 D2), since a 2-0 loss in March 2019 under Rafael Benitez.
Though West Ham won 2-0 at St James’ Park in November, they have not completed the Premier League double over Newcastle since 2018-19.
The Magpies have lost 4-0 to Man City and 2-0 to Liverpool in their last two Premier League away games. They last lost three in a row on the road without scoring in December/January 2020-21 (a run of four).
West Ham have won their last two Premier League games (vs Arsenal and Leicester), last winning three straight in December 2023 under David Moyes.
However, only Southampton (7.5%) have a lower shot conversion rate in the Premier League this season than the Hammers (9%). They have also hit the lowest proportion of their shots on target so far this term (30%).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
West Ham – 31.5%
Draw – 26.1%
Newcastle United – 42.4%
