Newcastle United Match Preview

Despite picking up points on the road against both Fulham and Brentford in September, West Ham United haven’t won away from home since beating Crystal Palace 2-0 back on August 24. Now, after a sixteen-day break, they face two games in just five days, starting with a trip to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United tonight.

The Hammers are looking for only their eighth win of 2024 and a fourth of the current campaign.

A result against the Magpies would be most welcome for Julen Lopetegui and his side as they have not registered a single point on the road since the game at The Gtech Community Stadium.

With no further international breaks until March, the Irons will hope to pick up maximum points on their longest journey of the season, as they look for a run of consistent results. Having said that, Eddie Howe’s side will want to build on their win at Nottingham Forest back on 10 November.

It’s probably not a factor that will have any effect on the outcome of the game, but Lopetegui’s side have had one extra day’s preparation after their goalless draw at home to Everton last time out.

Captain Jarrod Bowen sustained a knock after the defeat against the Trickly Trees at The City Ground at the start of the month but passed a fitness test in order to retain his place in the starting line-up against Sean Dyche’s men.

Danny Ings, Vladimír Coufal and Carlos Soler all came off the bench against the Toffees and all could start here if the Head-Coach decides to make changes.

Łukasz Fabiański is expected to retain his place in goal, although Lopetegui did hint in his pre-match news conference ahead of this game on Friday that Alphonse Areola may come back into contention after losing his place, following the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on October 19.

The match is an 8pm kick-off and live coverage is being screened by Sky Sports from 6:30pm. The referee is Craig Pawson.