The battle for Premier League survival has reached a fever pitch as the margins at the foot of the table continue to tighten, leaving Tottenham Hotspur reliant on results elsewhere to preserve their top-flight status.
Tottenham Hotspur know that they need all the help they can get if they are to avoid relegation to the Championship this season.
As it stands, West Ham are the most likely of the three sides (Nottingham Forest and Tottenham) embroiled in the relegation scrap to go down, having lost ground on Spurs this week.
Tottenham’s chances could improve even further if West Ham form falters at this stage of the season, while they put together a stronger run than their London rivals.
Tottenham hope Newcastle form shift can hurt West Ham
There is currently just a single point separating West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur at the bottom of the Premier League table, with some tough fixtures to come for both.
Tottenham’s remaining Premier League fixtures:
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West Ham’s remaining Premier League fixtures:
While Spurs will be hoping for a favour from their bitter rivals Arsenal this weekend, the Lilywhites will also have an eye on Newcastle away. With Tottenham heading to Stamford Bridge that week – which has been far from a happy hunting ground in recent decades – De Zerbi and co may need a favour from the Magpies to keep West Ham in their rear-view mirror.
Thankfully, Newcastle seem to be returning to form at just the right time…
Spurs rely on Newcastle momentum ahead of West Ham clash
Eddie Howe’s side have not been in the best form this season, as they sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
In fact, looking at their last five Premier League matches, Newcastle are 17th in the form table over that period, having managed just one win.
That solitary victory came in their most recent outing against Brighton and Hove Albion, where they secured a 3-1 win.
To produce such a result against one of the division’s most in-form sides, after losing four games on the bounce, suggests Howe’s side could be turning a corner just in time for their clash with West Ham.
Newcastle face Nottingham Forest before meeting the Hammers the following week, and should they secure a victory against the Tricky Trees, they could be the side that help Spurs pull away from the relegation scrap – that, of course, depends on Tottenham winning their own games.