Newcastle v West Ham: Back Kieran Trippier for a farewell card at 11/2

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West Ham contenders for unwanted Premier League relegation crown

This is about as big as it gets at the bottom of the Premier League table.

After 14 consecutive seasons in the top flight, West Ham now find themselves staring at the exit door with just two games left, sitting two points behind 17th-placed Tottenham, who also boast a +11 goal difference advantage. In simple terms, West Ham need wins.

The fixture list doesn't exactly offer comfort either. Newcastle away, then Leeds at home. Meanwhile Spurs face Chelsea away on Tuesday before a final-day meeting with Everton at home - and the market reflects just how delicate West Ham's position is, with the Hammers now 2/91.22 to be relegated on the Betfair Exchange and Spurs 3/14.00.

It's easy to forget that the Hammers were seven points from safety on January 16 after 21 games played.

The job Nuno Espirito Santo has done really does deserve huge plaudits and there is an argument to suggest that this West Ham team could be the best team ever to be relegated from the Premier League. No team with 36 or more points has fallen into the Championship in the last decade.

West Ham have 36 points with two games to spare. Even a return of 42 points might not be enough - a total they amassed in 2002 when they fell through the trapdoor. They remain the only team to be relegated from the Premier League with 40 or more points.

All or nothing now for West Ham but form in their favour

This trip to St James' Park for West Ham is a tough ask in isolation, let alone under this kind of pressure. Newcastle may have had their own inconsistencies this season - but at home they still carry real power when they need to.

Will that be on show in this one? A lack of motivation on their part could be a door West Ham can walk through if they play smart.

Let's not forget, the Toon have lost nine of their last 14 Premier League games - that is the same amount as Burnley in that period. They've accumulated just 13 points in that time - only Burnley (7), Wolves (10) and Spurs (11) taken fewer.

Meanwhile, West Ham have won 22 points in their last 15 Premier League games - only six teams have won more in this period.

There is a good balance and structure in this West Ham side - it can defend properly when required and hit you with fast, dangerous counter-attacks through Crysensio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen when the game opens up.

They can win at St James' - no doubt. The problem is the price has got their need to win completely factored in already. The 3.3512/5 on offer for an away win on the Betfair Exchange has a great chance of landing but whether it's a value price to play is another matter.

Another market where one eventuality is factored in is over 2.5 goals which can be backed at 4/91.44 with the Betfair Sportsbook.

One last game, one last booking for Trippier

There's a very interesting individual match-up on Newcastle's right-hand side.

Kieran Trippier looks set for a potential farewell appearance at St James' Park with his contract expiring, and if Eddie Howe does stick with him at right-back, it sets up a proper duel with Summerville.

Summerville has been a nightmare for full-backs all season. He's direct, explosive and relentless at running at his man, and crucially he's the player in the Premier League who has drawn the most fouls leading to cards this season, 18 in total. It's a reflection of how often defenders are forced into desperate recovery challenges against him.

Trippier, for all his experience and game intelligence, is now operating in a phase of his career where he can be exposed in pure foot races. If Summerville gets isolated and starts committing him one-v-one, it's very easy to see situations where Trippier is left with no option but to take one for the team.

At 11/26.50 with the Betfair Sportsbook, the card angle looks overpriced.

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