Newcastle United vs West Ham United

Saturday’s Premier League program starts at St James’ Park, with Newcastle United and West Ham United locking horns in a handsomely-looking fixture.

March’s international break offered Newcastle United time to regroup after Manchester City crashed them out of the FA Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win at home. Stranded in tenth in the Premier League standings, the Magpies are trailing sixth-placed Manchester United by seven points after blowing hot and cold across their last seven league outings (W3, D2, L2). Eddie Howe’s side will rely on the home comforts of St James’ Park, where they’ve only lost three top-flight outings this season (W9, D4). But before a 3-0 thumping of Wolverhampton Wanderers in their most recent home league game, Newcastle had won none of their four previous such fixtures (D2, L2). Add to that an underwhelming five-game home form against West Ham (W1, D2, L2), and it’s not hard to understand why the Tyne faithful are skeptical about this contest.

On the other hand, two disallowed second-half goals left West Ham manager David Moyes fuming after Aston Villa held his side to a 1-1 draw last time out. Despite extending their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to four matches (W2, D2), the Hammers are still three points short of Man Utd, who also have a game in hand, highlighting the significance of winning this match. However, the visitors haven’t fared well on the recent Premier League travels, going winless three times on the bounce (D1, L2) before a come-from-behind 3-1 triumph at relegation-threatened Everton. No strangers to upsetting the apple cart, they’ve racked up a 40% win ratio in away league games they’ve started as underdogs this season (W4, L6).