Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 28.
Team analysis: West Ham United
West Ham come into a home match against Newcastle United having won consecutive Premier League matches for the first time this season.
TV Info - Broadcasters
Delighted with the way his side earned clean-sheet victories at Arsenal and at home to Leicester City, head coach Graham Potter now has a spring his step.
Those wins may have been claimed in contrasting fashion, but in both matches it was clear the 49-year-old’s ideas are beginning to take hold with the players.
Using a new formation that seems to suit star men Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, the Hammers are unlikely to change their approach on Monday evening.
What is Potter’s latest tactical twist?
The new Hammers boss has trialled a 3-5-2 formation in the last two matches, using Bowen and Kudus as mobile split strikers.
It is a shape which protects the centre of the pitch out of possession, but when the ball changes hands, they quickly open out and stretch the pitch wide.
Neither forward is a natural focal point, so West Ham tend to raid down the side channels when they play up front together.
With skipper Bowen leaning towards his favoured right side, and Ghana star Kudus heading left on a more frequent basis, they have created several overloads down the sides.
This passing network graphic below from their comfortable win against Leicester highlights the areas they have targeted on the ball.
At times they may look striker-less, but Bowen (RFW) and Kudus (LFW) carry plenty of threat.
West Ham's passing network v Leicester
One of the keys to this partnership flourishing is their ability to keep hold of the ball.
Kudus boasted an incredible 100 per cent pass accuracy versus Leicester, completing 23 out of 23 passes.
They also looked after possession brilliantly when Kudus was successful with 24 of 26 passes, and Bowen completing six of seven, in the win at Emirates Stadium.
They might be better known for their speed, dribbling and finishing prowess, but these two players are also physically strong and capable of holding off defenders under pressure.
Kudus held onto the ball magnificently to help his side push up into the opposition half in a stellar individual display against Arsenal.
Bowen leading by example
West Ham's captain has a calm temperament that makes him dependable in clutch moments.
Bowen famously netted the decisive goal in the 2022/23 UEFA Conference League Final against Fiorentina - and four of his last five Premier League goals have also been winners.
His last, the only goal in that superb victory at Arsenal on the counter, was his 50th top-flight strike for the club.
Earning the side eight extra points with those key goals against the Gunners, Southampton, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Potter knows he can rely on Bowen when those important opportunities land his way.
That’s not all though. The former Chelsea head coach can also trust his skipper to set the right tone with his off-the-ball work.
Bowen's stats out of possession, 24/25
| Pressures in final third | Possession won in final third | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jarrod Bowen | 316 | Jarrod Bowen | 25 |
| Mohammed Kudus | 185 | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | 13 |
| Lucas Paqueta | 175 | Lucas Paqueta | 12 |
Whether he is deployed as a right winger or as a central striker, Bowen is never anything but industrious.
Leading West Ham’s rankings for final-third pressures and recoveries by an enormous margin, the England international sets the standards for team-mates to follow.
Potter is more inclined to ask his team to press than predecessor David Moyes, so having Bowen up front, at least in the short term, feels like a good fit.
On Monday evening he will not give Newcastle’s defenders an easy ride.
Targeting the Magpies' left flank
In a serious blow for Eddie Howe, left-back Lewis Hall will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, while left winger Anthony Gordon will miss the game due to suspension.
Dan Burn, Tino Livramento or Matt Targett are the players most likely to step into that role, which is likely to impact the balance of the team.
Making just four appearances this season, featuring for only 12 minutes of Premier League action, Targett is the most natural stand-in, but his lack of game-time will be a concern.
Three of Bowen’s seven league goals this season, such as the examples below, have come when cutting inside from the right to bend low left-footed shots into the far corner.
It is his forte, so whoever plays down that side will require a high level of focus.
West Ham’s right wing-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also enjoying a tremendous season.
His power and pace caused Arsenal major problems in north London, and with the Magpies weakened down that flank, he will be a real threat in this contest.
Hard to stop when he is at his rampaging best, Wan-Bissaka’s value is evident when you check out his season stats.
Wan-Bissaka's stats, 24/25
| Total | WHU rank | |
| Successful open-play crosses | 14 | =1st |
|---|---|---|
| Chances created in open play | 24 | =2nd |
| Assists | 2 | =2nd |
| Dribbles completed | 43 | 2nd |
| Penalty-area entries | 63 | 3rd |
| Duels won | 128 | =3rd |
Howe’s players will be aware of this threat anyway, as Bowen slipped a pass inside for the underlapping Wan-Bissaka to score in their 2-0 success at St James’ Park earlier this season.
To prevent the Hammers from doing the double over them, it is vital they protect this side of the pitch with diligence.
If you allow Wan-Bissaka to get into advanced areas, the former Crystal Palace and Man Utd defender is certainly playing well enough to be a difference maker.
In a slightly more adventurous set-up under Potter, his value will only grow.
Wan-Bissaka's key passes, 24/25
Key: Star - goal, blue circle - shot on target, black circle - shot off target
West Ham’s upturn in form and relative freedom in terms of league position should help to make this an entertaining encounter.
Their Premier League matches this term have seen a total of 801 combined shots (for 357 and 444 against), which is the highest cumulative total of any side in the competition.
