Newcastle United vs West Ham: Now or never for Julen Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui’s frustrating career at West Ham United has reached a breaking point ahead of the upcoming Premier League trip to Newcastle United.

Monday can often be quiet for football on TV, but the Hammers faithful will likely be on the edge of their seats when Lopetegui’s beleaguered men touch down at St James’ Park.

According to The Independent, the Spaniard remains unfazed by the growing pressure after his side entered November’s international break only five points clear of the bottom three.

Back-to-back scoring blanks, including a dismal 0-0 home draw against perennial strugglers Everton last time out, have contributed to the club’s second-worst league start in six years.

In contrast to West Ham’s freefall, Eddie Howe turned Newcastle’s fortunes around before the hiatus, guiding the Magpies to consecutive league victories against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

Despite winning less than 50 percent of their top-flight outings, the hosts have whittled down the gap on third-placed Chelsea to a single point pre-round.

Poor travellers

West Ham’s inability to win on the road threatens to end Lopetegui’s tenure prematurely.

Since a 2-0 triumph at Crystal Palace in August, the Hammers have failed to return to the win column on four consecutive Premier League travels (D2, L2).

Defensive solidity has vanished since a decent performance at Selhurst Park, resulting in West Ham conceding in 26 of their last 28 Premier League matches outside the London Stadium.

They have lost their last two league games on the road via an aggregate score of 7-1, ominously letting in 3+ goals on each occasion.

Make or Break

If there was a time for Lopetegui to snap West Ham’s barren run in a hostile setting, it’s now.

With the Hammers taking on Arsenal in the next round, another disappointing result at St James’ Park would likely be the 58-year-old’s scourge.

However, taking West Ham’s notorious issues in this fixture into the equation, this promises to be Lopetegui’s last away game in charge.

A remarkable 4-2 victory at this venue in August 2022 remains the Irons’ only win across their last ten league encounters against Newcastle (D4, L5).