Newcastle Face Desperate West Ham in Battle for Season Salvation

West Ham's relegation scrap just got harder to swallow. Callum Wilson's deep into injury time equaliser against Arsenal was controversially wiped out by VAR, and the Hammers must be wondering if the footballing gods have simply turned their backs. At least Tottenham's stuttering draw at home to Leeds – 1-1 after sitting 1-0 up – offered a glimmer of hope. Spurs remain two points clear with two games left, but the race for survival remains genuinely alive.

Newcastle's penultimate fixture woes came courtesy of their former midfielder Elliot Anderson, who snatched a 1-1 draw for Nottingham Forest last weekend. That result left Eddie Howe's side sitting in 13th place, having missed out on a win that would have pushed them to 11th.

The match kicks off at 5.30pm BST on Sunday, May 17 at St James' Park, with Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League providing live coverage from 5pm. BBC Radio 5 Live will have full commentary.

Newcastle's injury woes continue to mount. Anthony Gordon, a target for Bayern Munich, hasn't featured in the last four games due to a hip problem, and Howe has suggested the winger may have already played his final match in a black and white shirt. Joelinton stepped in at Forest but now carries a thigh complaint himself. Lewis Hall has returned to training and is available, though Fabian Schar looks set to miss the final two fixtures. Emil Krafth and Tino Livramento remain sidelined. There's a poignant note too: Kieran Trippier's contract expires at season's end, making this his last home appearance for the club.

West Ham's squad situation is considerably brighter. Nuno Espirito Santo has virtually everyone fit and ready, save for winger Adama Traore, who's nursing a quadriceps injury. The manager will need all the firepower he can muster – his side have failed to score in their last three away outings, a damning statistic against a Newcastle team that's among the Premier League's most prolific at home.

Betting markets reflect the Hammers' predicament. West Ham are 21/10 outsiders, while Newcastle sit at 11/10 to claim their 10th home league win of the campaign. A draw trades at 3/1. In the relegation market, West Ham are 1/4 to go down, with Spurs at 3/1.

Newcastle's final home game of the season provides Howe with the perfect opportunity to send the supporters home with a smile after a testing campaign. The Magpies have only been out-scored at home by the top three clubs, which makes grim reading for visitors who've struggled to find the net on their travels. Newcastle's defensive record is less reassuring – just one clean sheet in their last 14 Premier League outings – suggesting West Ham might manage a goal.

The prediction? Newcastle should have too much, particularly at home. Back them to win with both teams scoring at 12/5.

For West Ham to survive, they'd need to beat Leeds on the final day whilst hoping Spurs slip up in both their remaining matches – away at Chelsea on Tuesday and at home to Everton. It's a tall order, but not impossible.