Predicted West Ham XI vs Newcastle sees Nuno finally start key star but he’s leaving

West Ham know victory over the Magpies will see them climb out of the relegation zone, dumping bitter rivals Spurs in it.

Tottenham then go to Chelsea, where they have a woeful record, on Tuesday.

Nuno sees sense to start Wilson in major West Ham change at Newcastle

There are various scenarios that would see the Hammers secure survival in the last two games.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are two points behind Tottenham, who have a vastly superior goal difference worth an extra point to the north Londoners.

Between 1-10, how would you rate West Ham’s survival chances if they beat Newcastle? 😬

So West Ham need at least one win from Newcastle and Leeds and would then need to hope Spurs lose to both Chelsea and Everton.

A point at Newcastle could be a crucial one for the Irons because it allows a contingency for Spurs picking up a point in their last two.

The ideal situation for West Ham is obviously two wins, which would require Spurs to take four points from their final matches.

Nuno has done a great job turning the team around since January, with West Ham among the top seven in the form table since the halfway stage.

But the Portuguese has come in for criticism over some of his team selections, tactics and substitutions during his time at the club.

One particular bone of contention has been his reluctance to start Callum Wilson – West Ham’s undisputed best and most experienced goalscorer.

Wilson in for Todibo as Nuno reverts to back four at Newcastle?

Wilson has scored some absolutely vital goals as a late sub this season and saw his brilliantly taken leveller against Arsenal chalked off by VAR.

Many West Ham fans feel the club would already be safe from relegation had Wilson started more games ahead of flop striker Pablo and goal-shy Valentin Castellanos.

Imagine you’re Nuno – what changes are you making ahead of Newcastle? 💭

Back four? Start Wilson? What would you do? 🤔

Nuno was accused of the worst substitution in modern West Ham history when he brought Pablo on ahead of Wilson in the defeat to Arsenal.

Pablo has barely registered a shot let alone scored a goal since arriving for an eyebrow-raising £20m in January.

He is woefully short of the quality required to be a Premier League striker.

Some supporters have also accused the head coach of failing to attack the bid for survival, opting for a more cautious approach favouring the hard work of Pablo over Wilson’s finishing prowess.

Now Nuno looks set to come to senses over key star Wilson – but it is too late to stop him leaving.

The Hammers boss will finally give Wilson the start he deserves at his old club in place of Jean-Clair Todibo as he reverts to a back four.

But it won’t be enough to keep Wilson at the club for next season.

Because according to leading West Ham insider Sean Whetstone, who counts co-owner David Sullivan among his close contacts, Wilson is certain to leave the Hammers this summer even if they stay in the Premier League.

Whetstone has revealed Wilson has been a ‘model professional’ throughout his time at the club, despite feeling he deserved more game time.

And Wilson will “99.999%” be leaving West Ham this summer regardless of the division the Hammers find themselves in, Whetstone claims.

It is a real shame West Ham will be losing Wilson after finally stumbling across a competent striker.

He would have been a cast-iron guarantee of goals to help the Hammers bounce back to the Premier League if they are relegated to the Championship.

West Ham fans will be hopeful Nuno coming to his senses over the striker can avoid that fate, though, at just the right time.

Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Newcastle:

Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Disasi, Mavropanos, Diouf, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville, Bowen, Castellanos, Wilson.

Official teams will be announced at 4.15pm ahead of Sunday night’s 5.30pm kick-off at St James’ Park.