Newcastle, sitting just two points adrift of safety, will look to exploit West Ham’s porous defence with a compact shape that forces long‑range shots from the Hammers’ 42 goals conceded. Bruno Guimarães, the league's ninth‑scoring midfielder, will be pivotal in breaking the press; his 9‑goal haul and 5 assists show he can step up late in the game, turning the 30‑point cushion in midfield into a decisive spark. The side’s 52 goals against means a single defensive lapse could cost them the 3‑point swing they need to break the 18‑point gap to safety. West Ham, ranked 18th and struggling to convert 42 attempts into 8 goals, will lean on Jarrod Bowen’s 10 assists to create chances, but their goal difference of‑minus‑20 and 62 conceded underline a pressing failure to finish. A disciplined 4‑3‑3 that traps the ball in the opposition’s half could force Newcastle to commit men forward at the back, creating counter‑play opportunities on the break and set‑piece threats where the Hammers have historically faltered. The pressure of a relegation battle will magnify any tactical misstep, turning the match into a high‑stakes test of composure and execution.