West Ham vs Newcastle



Two sides that are absolutely brilliant in this regard. The numbers might come as a bit of a surprise when you look into them, but West ham and Newcastle are two of the stronger teams in the league when it comes to winning corners.
Newcastle sit 1st in this metric, with West Ham ranking 9th, the pair picking up 6.89 and 5.48 corners per game respectively. When it comes to corners conceded, West Ham sit at 4.67 per game for an average of 10.15 match corners, whilst Newcastle’s 4.33 corners conceded per game put them at an average of 11.26 per match.
Newcastle match corners in last 5 league games: 11, 10, 13, 12, 13
West Ham match corners in last 5 league games: 8, 14, 10, 15, 11
The Hammers have had a minimum of 5 corners in all but 1 of their last 5, whilst Eddie Howe’s side have had at least 7 in each of their last 5, except for their 2-0 loss to City. More of the same would see this selection land.
Both sides have capable runners out wide that should facilitate corners, with much of Newcastle’s play in particular being focused down the flanks. The likes of Saint-Maximin and Benrahma in particular will be worth a watch here. Their 7.50 and 5.68 dribbles P/90 respectively could come into play for corners.

Newcastle have somewhat cleaned their act up of late, but if there’s one piece of valuable information worth taking into account here, it’s that this selection landed the last time these two met back in February.
Newcastle’s card average has dropped slightly of late, evidence of their domination in games at home. Their 2-0 win over United at the weekend is evidence, with Howe’s not receiving a single card. However, they’re still averaging 1.77 cards per game, and their numbers away from home are far more encouraging.
Newcastle have received 14 cards in their last 5 away games in the league, only receiving less than 2 cards in one of those 5 games.
Newcastle cards in last 5 away league games: 1, 4, 3, 2, 4
With the return of Joelinton, Newcastle side consists of a number of players capable of being booked. Joelinton has received 10 this season, Trippier 5, with all of Guimaraes, Burn, and Schar being shown 4. Take into consideration their foul averages, Joelinton at 1.88 P/90, Trippier at 1.33 P/90, Guimaraes at 1.44 P/90, and there’s every chance of bookings.
Referee Craig Pawson averages 4.12 cards per game, adding to the merits of this selection.

This one is looking a tasty proposition. Thilo Kehrer has yet to convince many this season, and more fouls tonight would add further question marks for sure.
Kehrer averages 1.33 fouls P/90, but his numbers differ wildly depending on where he’s being deployed. In his 17 appearances at centre back, the German has averaged 1.11 fouls P/90. When played at right back, this escalates to 1.91 fouls P/90. He’s expected to play at right back tonight, but regardless of that, both numbers are still encouraging.
He has blanked on just one occasion when playing at right back this season, notching up 2 fouls against Southampton at the weekend, and 4 against AEK Larnaca in the Conference League last month.
He doesn’t look comfortable at the best of times, but his lack of real pace really does hinder him out wide, and forces him into some rash and untimely tackles.
What makes things worse for Kehrer is that he is likely to face off against Allan Saint-Maximin. The enigmatic Frenchman is fouled 1.35 times P/90, and attempts a staggering 7.50 dribbles P/90.
He’s been fouled at least once by each of his last 7 opponents, with of them fouling him twice. Kehrer will struggle to contain him throughout the 90, and a foul looks a really solid shout here.

Kieran Trippier has been sensational for Newcastle this season. A threat going forward, an organiser at the back, and most importantly, a leader, Trippier has set an example to his teammates, one that has clearly been well received by his squad.
Fouls look rather tasty here. Trippier is a decent defender, but it certainly isn’t his best quality. Occasionally mistimed tackles do slip into his game, and that’s evidenced by the fact that he commits 1.44 fouls P/90.
2.01 tackles P/90 suggests that he’s constantly getting stuck in as well, and that aggressive nature could see him fall afoul of the referee tonight.
Trippier fouls in last 5 league games: 0, 4, 3, 3, 0
The Newcastle captain is likely to come up against tricky wide man Said Benrahma. The West Ham player is only fouled 0.65 times P/90 but averages an impressive 5.68 dribbles P/90, something that will keep Trippier on his toes.
Given the Newcastle full back’s desire to go forward, there’s every chance he gets caught out in advance of his Algerian opposition here. Don’t be surprised if Benrahma ‘cheats’, keeping himself high up the pitch, and forcing Trippier to bring him down from behind.