Sunday’s Premier League Tips: Low-scoring affair likely as Newcastle face United

The Premier League resumes this weekend and there are two important matches set to take place on Sunday. Greg Lea previews the action at the London Stadium and St James’ Park.

West Ham United v Southampton

Kick-off: 2pm Sunday

A crunch clash between two teams fighting for their Premier League lives. There has long been an assumption that West Ham will eventually pull clear of the drop zone, but time is running out and David Moyes’ men remain embroiled in a battle against relegation. 

This has been a campaign full of false dawns for West Ham, who have been consistent in the Europa Conference League and anything but in domestic competition. They head into Sunday’s match in the bottom three despite having one of the strongest squads in the division outside of the big six.

Home form, you feel, will be integral to West Ham’s chances of finishing above the dreaded dotted line. A huge 75% of their points this term have been amassed at the London Stadium, while they have still won just once on the road - and that was way back in August.

Meanwhile, Southampton have shown signs of improvement under Ruben Selles. The Saints have avoided defeat in four of his six games at the helm, which is a marked upgrade on their form prior to his appointment.

There is still considerable work to do for the Saints, though, as they remain rooted to the foot of the table. The positive is that they scored three goals against Tottenham Hotspur last time out and are capable of giving West Ham’s defence something to think about this weekend. A clean sheet could elude both the hosts and the visitors - and that’s the way I’m playing this match-up.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.99

Newcastle United v Manchester United

Kick-off: 4.30pm Sunday

Just a few weeks ago, Manchester United fans were dreaming of a possible Premier League title tilt. 

That was always a long shot, and a 7-0 defeat by Liverpool and 0-0 draw with Southampton before the international break has meant no-one at Old Trafford is countenancing the prospect of United finishing above Manchester City and Arsenal any longer. 

In fact, the Red Devils could yet end the campaign outside the top four. They are currently in a strong position in the fight for Champions League qualification, but it is by no means done and dusted.

Erik ten Hag’s team is only three points clear of their upcoming opponents Newcastle, who have a superior goal difference. That means a defeat on Sunday would see Manchester United go below Eddie Howe’s side in the standings.

With the business end of the campaign now upon us, this head-to-head clash between two top-four contenders is likely to be cagey. That is not to say neither team will take risks in search of what would be a significant victory, but we could see Newcastle and Manchester United feel one another out in the opening period.

Newcastle suffered a dip in form in January and February, but they still have by far the best defensive record in the Premier League with only 19 goals conceded. This shouldn’t be a particularly high-scoring game, and under 2.5 goals looks like an astute selection.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.95

Sunday’s Premier League Tips

West Ham v Southampton: Both teams to score @ 1.99
Newcastle v Man Utd: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.95