Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 5/1
Bookmaker: Betfair
West Ham United and Newcastle United will face each other in the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. The match between the Hammers and the Magpies is scheduled to kick off at the London Stadium in London at 8pm on Saturday evening.
West Ham United
West Ham had a disappointing campaign in 2019-20, as the London club just managed to stave off the dreaded drop to the Championship. David Moyes’s side finished only five points above the bottom three, and it is clear that it is simply not good enough. The London club were in the relegation zone for a lot of the season, and the team will be determined to do much better during the 2020-21 campaign.
The Hammers have not been very active so far in the summer transfer window. The only notable business West Ham have done in the off-season so far is make Tomas Soucek’s loan deal from Slavia Prague permanent. The Hammers riled up their own fanbase recently when they decided to sell winger Grady Diangana to West Bromwich Albion. Even club captain and midfielder Mark Noble expressed his dissatisfaction at the decision.
Team news
West Ham do have any injury problems heading into this season. Michail Antonio is likely to lead the line, having done wonderfully well in this position in 2019-20, scoring 10 goals in the league.
Newcastle United
Not all Newcastle fans were happy or convinced by Steve Bruce when he was appointed as Rafael Benitez’s successor last summer, but the former Aston Villa and Hull City boss did a very good job for the Magpies last season. Newcastle finished a respectable 13th in the Premier League table and also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
There were doubts on the future of Bruce following interest from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to buy Newcastle. However, the takeover fell through, and Mike Ashley is still the owner of the Premier League and Bruce remains in charge of the first team. The Magpies have been quite busy in the summer transfer window lately, with the club signing Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis over the past few days. Newcastle had earlier secured the services of Mark Gillespie and Jeff Hendrick on free transfers.
Team news
Newcastle manager Bruce does not have any fitness concerns, and it remains to be seen if he will include the new signings against West Ham. Callum Wilson is likely to start, though, and the former Bournemouth striker will be determined to hit the ground running.
Key Factors to Consider
- West Ham finished just five points above the relegation zone last season.
Newcastle end up 13th in the league table last season.
West Ham conceded 62 goals in 38 league games in 2019-20.
Newcastle scored just 38 goals in 38 league matches in 2019-20.
Newcastle beat West Ham 3-2 at the London Stadium in the league last season.
Conclusion
With both teams aiming to finish in mid-table or thereabout, there is nothing much separating them. West Ham and Newcastle will want to start the season strongly, and the chances are that they will look rusty and will be sloppy at the back. There will be goals in this encounter, which should ended in a draw.
Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 5/1
Bookmaker: Betfair
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