When West Ham won the 2022–23 Europa Conference League, their first trophy after Intertoto Cup in 1999, David Moyes was the hero. A year later, he was gone. In his two times as West Ham boss, he saved them from relegation an then won the trophy. Still, the vast majority of West Ham fans were happy to see him go at the end of last season. They felt that their club is not progressing with the 61-year old Scot at the helm. So when Julen Lopetegui came to London at the beginning of the current season, expectations were high. But just months later, the Spaniard is on the brink of a sack.Newcastle vs West Ham tomorrow? You have to rewatch this Isak goal then! pic.twitter.com/WTeinOKcVC— FtblJoe (@FtblJoe) November 24, 2024 According to the multiply reports, which he himself denied, the West Ham brass gave Lopetegui two more games to save his job. But we are not talking about some ordinary games, we are talking about matches against Newcastle and Arsenal. Former Spain, Real, Seville and Wolves manager was given a rich transfer kitty and players like Maximilian Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Füllkrug, Luis Guilherme, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Guido Rodríguez were brought it for a sum of over 140 million pounds, but so far, he ‘delivered‘ only three wins in 11 games. What is even worse for the Spaniard is the fact that his team never left London in these 11 games and still managed only 12 points, three more than the first relegation candidate!Newcastle eying African ace in JanuaryThe Hammers faced teams outside London at their home ground and travelled to other parts of UK‘s capital as guests, so their first away trip begins tonight, when they face in-form Newcastle at St. James Park and that will be Lopetegui‘s first ‘ball game‘. If his Hammers are defeated in the north of England and then against Arsenal in London the following week, it will be all over for former Real coach. The Magpies are once again strong at home as they have defeated clubs like Tottenham and Arsenal at their fortress. On the other hand, West Ham won only once away from their home, and drew twice. Newcastle also defeated Chelsea in the Cup at home and surprised Nottingham Forest as guest before the international break (1-3) so Lopetegui will have a tough task in front of him. In the last 10 Premier League visits to St. James Park the Hammers won only twice (five defeats) and Newcastle‘s record when playing on Monday is brutal – only one defeat. If Lopetegui has any aces up his sleeve, now is the time to pull them.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 12SaturdayLeicester City – Cheslea 1-2 (0-1)/Ayew 90+4 pen – Jackson 15, Fernandez 75/Arsenal – Nott.Forest 3-0 (1-0)/Saka 15, Partey 52, Nwaneri 86/Aston Villa – Crystal Palace 2-2 (1-2)/Watkins 36, Barkley 77 – Sarr 4, Devenny 45+1/Bournemouth – Brighton 1-2 (0-1)/Brooks 90+3 – Joao Pedro 4, Mitoma 49/Everton – Brentford 0-0Fulham – Wolverhampton 1-4 (1-1)/Iwobi 20 – Cunha 31, 87, Gomes 53, Guedes 90+5/Man.City – Tottenham 0-4 (0-2)/Maddison 13, 20, Porro 53, Johnson 90+3/SundaySouthampton – Liverpool 2-3 (1-1)/Armstrong 42, Fernandes 56 – Salah 65, 83(p), Szoboszlai 30/Ipswich – Man.Utd. 1-1(1-1)/Hutchinson 43 – Rashford 2/Monday22:00: (1.52) Newcastle (4.20) West Ham (6.25)***odds are subject to change***
