Newcastle United vs West Ham United Prediction 17.05.2026 | Premier League

Newcastle United head into their final home fixture of the campaign comfortably positioned in 13th place with 46 points, leaving the Magpies free to play without pressure now that any lingering concerns over relegation or ambitions of securing European qualification have long since faded.

Although Eddie Howe’s side have struggled to generate consistent momentum during the closing weeks of the season, collecting just one victory from their previous six Premier League outings, their respectable return of nine home wins at St James' Park this term still offers a solid platform heading into Saturday’s contest.

Defensively, the Tyneside outfit have looked increasingly vulnerable for a prolonged period, continuing to encounter major difficulties in keeping opponents at bay after managing just a single clean sheet across their last 20 matches in all competitions, a damaging trend that ultimately undermined their hopes of mounting a serious push for continental football.

On the injury front, Eddie Howe is once again expected to remain without long-term defensive absentees Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth, while highly-rated youngster Lewis Miley continues a lengthy recovery from a fractured fibula, with his campaign already brought to a premature end.

West Ham United make the trip to Tyneside sitting precariously in 18th place with a tepid 36-point return, fully aware that anything less than victory could mathematically confirm their heartbreaking relegation to the Championship, a scenario they are desperate to avoid at all costs.

The Hammers enter this penultimate fixture low on confidence after back-to-back defeats against Brentford and Arsenal, with the latter particularly painful following a controversial late VAR decision that denied them a dramatic equaliser and left the East London side empty-handed at the end.

In the midst of this difficult run, the primary tactical concern for head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will be tightening up a fragile defensive unit, with West Ham’s chaotic back line having conceded 62 goals across 36 Premier League matches, a record only better than already relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley this season.

On a slightly more positive note, West Ham arrive for this crucial Sunday clash with no major injury concerns, with only winger Adama Traore facing late fitness tests after recently reporting a minor muscular issue.