Chris Sutton believes Newcastle United are on course to extend their winning run as they prepare to face a struggling West Ham United side that appears to be in deep trouble.
Eddie Howe’s men are full of confidence, having picked up five wins in their last six matches, and will travel to the London Stadium on Sunday aiming to continue their strong momentum.
In stark contrast, West Ham’s form has completely collapsed. Sitting 19th in the Premier League table, the Hammers have failed to find any spark under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, whose appointment has yet to inspire the reaction fans hoped for.
According to Sutton, the gap in confidence and quality between the two sides makes Newcastle clear favorites. Writing in his BBC Sport column, the former Premier League striker didn’t hold back, predicting that Newcastle will be “too strong” for their hosts.
Sutton admitted he sees little improvement at West Ham despite Nuno’s efforts on the training ground, describing the club’s situation as “deep trouble.”
He praised Newcastle’s continued progress under Eddie Howe, particularly their convincing performances in both league and cup competitions. Sutton even hinted that Howe’s side could mount another trophy push after seeing them march into the Carabao Cup’s next round during the week.
“West Ham concede far too many goals from set pieces, and I think Newcastle will dominate in every department,” Sutton wrote.
That weakness could prove decisive, as nine of West Ham’s goals conceded this season have come directly from corners. For a team with Newcastle’s aerial power, that’s an invitation they’ll happily accept.
Eddie Howe’s side have recently started finding joy from set pieces. During their recent win over Tottenham Hotspur, Fabian Schar scored his team’s first goal of the season directly from a corner delivered by Sandro Tonali.
The goal might have been slightly controversial Tottenham defender Djed Spence was tying his laces during the play but it stood, giving Newcastle a boost of confidence in their set-piece routines.
That success is a testament to the work of set-piece coach Martin Mark, whose methods are beginning to pay off.
Given the size and strength of Newcastle’s lineup, players like Nick Woltemade and Dan Burn will surely fancy their chances against West Ham’s shaky defense.
The Magpies have added another defensive powerhouse to their ranks this season in Malick Thiaw, whose early performances have drawn widespread praise. Since joining from AC Milan, Thiaw has settled seamlessly into life at St James’ Park, forming a solid partnership with Sven Botman. His composure, intelligence, and strength have made him an instant hit with fans.
Performance consultant Paul Winsper, who worked closely with Thiaw over the summer, recently compared the German defender’s mentality to that of Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger.
Winsper told BBC Sport that Thiaw possesses the same fearless attitude, thriving under pressure and showing no signs of being overwhelmed by the demands of Premier League football.
“I’m not saying AC Milan aren’t a big club, but Newcastle is a completely different atmosphere, and he has the character to handle it,” Winsper explained. “His mentality reminds me a lot of Toni Rudiger when he’s under pressure, he thrives.”
That mental strength could soon help Thiaw earn another chance on the international stage. Despite his excellent club form, Julian Nagelsmann left him out of the most recent Germany squad, leaving the 23-year-old still stuck on just three senior caps.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Thiaw will be desperate to convince Nagelsmann that he deserves a place. His performances for Newcastle certainly make a strong case; few German defenders are playing at his current level.
For now, though, Thiaw’s focus and that of the entire Newcastle team is firmly on West Ham. With their growing momentum, sharp attacking play, and dominance at set pieces, the Magpies look ready to take full advantage of their opponent’s weakness.
Sutton’s warning about West Ham being in “deep trouble” feels justified. Newcastle appear hungrier, stronger, and more organized, and if their recent performances are anything to go by, another victory seems almost inevitable.
