West Ham vs Newcastle: Premier League Opener Match Preview

West Ham will kick off their 2020/21 Premier League campaign against Newcastle on Saturday evening.

After a busy summer for Premier League clubs in the transfer market, the season will start with fans full of promise and hope. West Ham fans, on the other hand, might not want the season to start as no new players have arrived at the club.

Match Details:

Venue: London Stadium
Kick-Off: 8:00 pm
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis and Neil Davies
Fourth Official: Darren England
VAR: Peter Bankes

West Ham Team News:

After a summer of exits, the Hammers will start the season without Jordan Hugill, Albian Ajeti and Roberto who have all left the club. The most notable outgoing, however, is Grady Diangana who went to West Brom for £18 million.

With no incoming players set to join the club before the Newcastle game, there will likely be a familiar West Ham line-up. David Moyes could be without an important player, Tomas Soucek. The Czech player, who has joined the club permanently, has been cleared to play against the Magpies after a COVID scare.

The midfielder might only make the bench however as he has missed out on some training and could be lacking match sharpness. Soucek’s absence could see Mark Noble drop next to Declan Rice and Manuel Lanzini take up the attacking midfield role.

Check out our FIFA 20 match prediction.

Newcastle Team News:

The Magpies had a solid first season under Steve Bruce and have strengthened over the summer. Newcastle have signed Ryan Fraser, Jeff Hendrick and Jamaal Lewis to improve their first-team options.

Bruce has also signed West Ham enemy Callum Wilson. The English striker has a brilliant record against the Hammers, scoring seven goals in eight games. One of these seven goals has become infamous because of Wilson’s comments after the game.

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham

The 28-year-old scored a controversial late equaliser in a 3-3 draw at the Vitality Stadium for his previous club Bournemouth. The ball appeared to come of off Wilson’s arm, what proved to upset West Ham fans were the strikers’ comments post-match. When asked about the goal, Wilson claimed it was a “touch of magic” as the reason the ball found its way into the goal.

"“Touch of magic”. Wilson said."

The Magpies could be without four players for their trip to the London Stadium. Martin Dubravka and Dwight Gayle are out until October with injuries. Furthermore, centre-back Fabian Schär will miss the game with a shoulder injury. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has overcome a knock and could feature.

Predicted Team XI’s

West Ham United: 4-2-3-1

Fabianski, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Noble, Rice, Bowen, Lanzini, Anderson; Antonio.

Newcastle United: 4-2-3-1

Darlow; Manquillo, Fernandez, Lascelles, Krafth; Hendrick, Shelvey; Ritchie, Almiron, Saint-Maximin; Wilson

Match Prediction

The Hammers have a very tough start to the season, taking on six of last seasons top eight in the first two months. The Newcastle fixture has become extremely important to make sure the club has some points on the board before November.

Three points will be even more critical for the club as it could reduce tensions between itself and the fans. The relationship between the two has deteriorated somewhat since the sale of promising youngster Diangana.

Despite all this disappointment of the summer, and the fact West Ham have an appalling record on the opening day of the season. But, the Hammers still have a strong attack and could find a way past Newcastle if they play to their potential and grab all three points.

Next. West Ham’s season-opener against Newcastle is a must-win. dark

Score Prediction:

West Ham United 2-1 Newcastle United.

Home/Premier League