West Ham will be looking to bounce back from their draw with Leicester City last time out as they face a Newcastle United team in high spirits after three wins in a row in the Premier League for the first time since the Rafa Benitez reign in 2018, at the London Stadium.
West Ham boss, David Moyes, has had an immensely impressive season with the Hammers as they've climbed to the heights of the top four in the campaign, giving them what seems to be the upper hand in this encounter. However recent form suggests otherwise as the East London side have somewhat struggled as of late, with only one Premier League in their last four attempts.
In the away dugout this week is Newcastle Head Coach, Eddie Howe, who has seemed to turn around a struggling side, into a team that competes and picks up results. They've managed to collect maximum points out of their last three fixtures for the first time since 2018, and on top of this have avoided defeat in the league since their loss to Manchester City on the 19th of December 2021.
![<a id='HKF7K7wfTMpgZ00_3A1yrA' class='gie-single' data-cke-saved-href='http://www.gettyimages.in/detail/1370387852' href='http://www.gettyimages.in/detail/1370387852' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;'>Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'HKF7K7wfTMpgZ00_3A1yrA',sig:'EpJl9TOHidgTkxKgytRGzEX2vjzRBx3FGzsEgL6yL8w=',w:'441px',h:'594px',items:'1370387852',caption: true ,tld:'in',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>](https://img.vavel.com/b/howe%20vs%20villa-2.jpeg)
Embed from Getty Images","width":"249","height":"333","lock":true,"align":"none","classes":{}}">
Team News - West Ham
As of now West Ham have no fresh absentees to deal with, except from the possible admission of Kurt Zouma who dropped out of the pre-match warmups at the King Power Stadium due suspected illness, the defender was due to start but dropped out and its unknown as to whether he'll be available for the weekend.
Apart from this, West Ham have a healthy squad and will have players at their disposal to dismantle Newcastle on Saturday.
Team News - Newcastle
The main headache for Howe will be the right back position as Kieran Trippier is out for the foreseeable future after fracturing a bone in his foot versus Aston Villa forcing him to make an early exit.
It was the same situation for Javier Manquillo who failed to see out the first half, however his injury is though to be less serious, but West Ham may come too soon, giving space for Emil Krafth to come into the side.
There was some good news for the Magpies however as captain, Jamaal Lascelles has returned to training after missing out through illness last time out.
Previous Meeting
When these two last met it was the first game of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign for each, resulting in a six goal thriller at St James' Park. West Ham came away with the three points after goals from Aaron Cresswell, Said Benrahma, Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio, cancelled out first half strikes from Jacob Murphy and Callum Wilson.
Ones to watch
West Ham - Jarrod Bowen
The English forward has been on Gareth Southgate's radar after a remarkable season, collecting eight goals and eight assists in 25 appearances. He's a man on form as of late scoring six in his last six.
He's adapted to the pace of the league admirably, as his dribbling, pace and off the ball intelligence have combined to make him a terror to Premier League defences. With Newcastle having conceded the third most goals in the league, they will be quaking at the though of facing him on Saturday.
![<a id='RsLMjSrjQXBv5-R4Z36THQ' class='gie-single' data-cke-saved-href='http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/1370329497' href='http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/1370329497' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;'>Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'RsLMjSrjQXBv5-R4Z36THQ',sig:'54_snEyevvrm0HzTUZATUcVAkNvCRfYpwkrO8VEf5L0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1370329497',caption: true ,tld:'com.au',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>](https://img.vavel.com/b/bowen.jpeg)
Embed from Getty Images","width":"626","height":"399","lock":true,"align":"none","classes":{}}">
Newcastle - Joelinton
The Brazilian has had his career revitalised under Howe, converting him from a number nine to a number eight and a complete midfield general.
He's been consistent as of late, running games with his power and positional awareness, intercepting and winning duels has become his game. With him facing an established midfield duo of Declan Rice and Soucek, it is going to interesting to see how he fairs.
![<a id='ZApbU1OkSFh1OLwSPT3lxg' class='gie-single' data-cke-saved-href='http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/1370324649' href='http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/1370324649' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;'>Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ZApbU1OkSFh1OLwSPT3lxg',sig:'tcopdMF3v0VuR-YWUCtB39cu8w-QFvZrd0RMzaFA6SU=',w:'594px',h:'415px',items:'1370324649',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>](https://img.vavel.com/b/j7.jpeg)
Embed from Getty Images","width":"628","height":"423","lock":true,"align":"none","classes":{}}">
Predicted line-ups
West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Lanzini, Benrahma, Antonio (4-2-3-1)
Newcastle: Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett, Fraser, Joelinton, Guimareas, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin, Wood (4-5-1)
Where to watch?
Kick off is 12:30 on Saturday meaning the game is broadcasted live to UK citizens on BT Sport, with highlights available shortly after full time on YouTube.