West Ham vs Newcastle: The Inside Track on the Hammers first opposition

West Ham welcome Newcastle United to the London Stadium to kick-off their 2020/21 campaign.

It is always difficult to gauge how some teams will play at the start of the season. There are a lot of moving parts to consider, some big-money transfers (unless you are West Ham) might not adapt and underperform, whereas some players may step-up.

To get a look into the Newcastle side that will be taking on West Ham, we at Green Street Hammers have spoken to ‘Newcastle Toons’ to get the inside track.

1. What’s happened with the take-over?

Which one? Hahaha. For Newcastle United, there always seems to be a new potential takeover every six months or year. This one did seem to be the closest, but it’s tough to really know. The EPL seemed uncomfortable with the connection of the government of Saudi Arabia and the group taking over the club.

There were also some issues with alleged piracy, but Newcastle issued a statement earlier this week essentially disagreeing with the decision by Richard Masters and the EPL and may pursue legal action it seems. It’s frustrating, but it’s in the past now and the club has to move forward.

2. How has the summer window been, any new faces that should concern West Ham?

Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser should really help a Newcastle United attack that didn’t strike much fear into opponents last season. You’re adding a proven striker to a club that is missing Dwight Gayle and only had the unreliable Joelinton and injury-prone Andy Carroll prior to his arrival.

Fraser is a quality playmaker and should slot into the spot on the wing opposite Allan Saint-Maximin. He has a track record of assisting Wilson when they were together at Bournemouth. The club also added Jeff Hendrick on a free to solidify the central midfield and Jamal Lewis from Norwich to fit a major need at left-back. But, Wilson and Fraser will be the ones to watch (though I don’t expect Fraser to play vs. the Hammers).

3. Newcastle have kept hold of Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin, will they get even better this season?

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I’d be shocked if they didn’t. Almiron struggled to find the final product for a long stretch after his arrival in January 2019, but he started to score some goals in the middle of last season and he also was able to play more as a number ten down the stretch where he’s at his best.

Saint-Maximin is simply one of the most fun players to watch in the Premier League. He was towards the top of the list for dribbles attempted and dribbles completed and gave defenders nightmares. Now, those players will be playing with a proven striker in Wilson and have another year under their belt in the English game.

4. Joelinton had a poor debut season, do you think he will come good this time around?

Yeah, a poor debut season is an understatement. I think he will benefit from Wilson’s arrival. He no longer has to be relied upon as the first-choice striker and he can factor in either off the bench or in some spot starts on the wing, where he played previously with Hoffenheim and looked a little better at with Newcastle towards the end of the last season.

He’s still young and has some positive traits, so I think he will have to improve. It would be nearly impossible to get worse than last year’s production, to be fair.

5. What are the weak spots in Newcastle’s side West Ham could exploit?

The biggest weakness is where you least want a weakness: between the sticks. Martin Dubravka, who is consistently performing as a top ten (top five on a good day), is out for the start of the season due to a heel injury. He’s been the key to the club securing wins when they should draw and draws when they should lose over his time on Tyneside.

With him out, the club will turn to Karl Darlow. While he has Premier League experience, he is prone to major miscues and didn’t perform too well against lower division clubs in cup competitions last season. With some injuries and uncertainty on the backline, Darlow will be tested and I’m not confident that he aces that test.

6. What are your thoughts on West Ham, very little business has happened, where do you think they will be once the season ends?

Like Newcastle, I think West Ham should be comfortably mid-table. There are a lot of proven players on the roster, but there aren’t a ton of game-changers. When you have a solid team and an experienced manager like David Moyes, you should be comfortably above relegation but not too close to a European spot.

7. Last season saw some very competitive games between the Magpies and the Hammers. A Newcastle 3-2 victory at the London Stadium and a 2-2 draw at St.James Park. What will be the result this time?

Definitely some exciting matches last season! I think this one should be similar. I’m not sure I trust Darlow to keep a clean sheet and I expect the attack to be rocking and rolling early for the Magpies. I think the new guys will be energized enough to secure a Newcastle win.

8. Score Prediction?

2-1 Newcastle, with a goal from Wilson and either Saint-Maximin or Almiron.

Next. West Ham vs Newcastle: Premier League Opener Match Preview. dark

So a defeat for the Hammers in the Newcastle Toons prediction of the match. If this is indeed what happens it means the run of losses on the opening day of the season will continue. West Ham have not won on an opening day since a 2-0 victory against Arsenal in 2015.

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