Hammers Start With Newcastle Again
West Ham United lost their opening two games of the last season but in the end, it turned out to be a excellent campaign as they finished sixth in the Premier League table, thus securing a place in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Now, the fixture list for the 2021/22 season has been released and the Hammers will again face Newcastle United on the opening weekend. The difference this time being David Moyes takes his side to St James’ Park.
The East Londoners did the double over Leicester City last season and the Foxes provide the opposition for their first home game a week later on 21 August before the month ends with another home game and a first London derby, as Crystal Palace visit under the guidance of a new manager.
After an international break, the Irons start September with a trip to Southampton before facing a home clash with Manchester United in Stratford. The date for this fixture is set to change as Moyes’ men have European involvement.
The Hammers picked up a rather impressive three points at Leeds United last season and they will attempt to do the same again when they travel to Elland Road to end the month.
Then comes a first encounter with a newly-promoted side when play-off winners Brentford visit to kick off October. This means that Saïd Benrahma gets a first reunion with his former club.
Before signing a three-year contract extension to remain as manager last Saturday, Moyes was a possible option to return to Everton. He does however head back to Merseyside after the second international break before the big London derby at home to Tottenham Hotspur the following week. Spurs will again be under new management after they dispensed with José Mourinho’s services.
It’s a big start to November too as Liverpool arrive in East London before another set of international fixtures follow. After which West Ham travel to Molineux to take on a Wolverhampton Wanderers side, who are now under the stewardship of new Head-Coach Bruno Lage.
Their next encounter is a rather more daunting prospect, as they take on current Champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
There is a first midweek game on the horizon for the Irons where they will be trying to claim a first ever top-flight win over Brighton and Hove Albion three days later.
As it always is, December is once again a busy month, as the Hammers face six matches, starting with another derby as Chelsea provide the opposition on this occasion.
Consecutive away games then follow, as Moyes takes his team to both Burnley and Arsenal within the space of three days.
The same amount of time will pass before the Hammers are back at home as last season’s Sky Bet Championship title winners Norwich City make the trip to Stratford.
The reverse fixture against Southampton is what faces West Ham on Boxing Day before another forty eight hour turnaround. Craig Dawson will come up against his former club as The last of the newly-promoted sides Watford host the Hammers.
West Ham will be hoping for a good start to the New Year, as they go to Crystal Palace before tricky games against both Leeds United and Manchester United to end January.
February starts with encounters in quick succession against both Watford and Leicester City before the reverse fixtures with Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It would appear that the Irons have a tough start to March, as they come up against Liverpool at Anfield before ending that particular month with a trip to The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
April starts with Everton’s new manager bringing his side to East London before the major highlights of the month include the derbies with both Chelsea and Arsenal.
Manchester City provide the opposition for the Irons’ final home game on 15 May before the curtain finally comes down on another campaign with a trip to The American Express Community Stadium to play Graham Potter’s Brighton and Hove Albion.
A full fixture list is available on the club’s official website and details of further transfers both in and out of Stratford, as well as news of the UEFA Europa League draw will be provided by this site as soon as information becomes available.