Newcastle United vs West Ham United - Premier League Preview and Odds

Published on: 25/08/2017

Newcastle United vs West Ham United - Premier League Preview and Odds

August 26, 2017 15:00pm - St. James` Park

Premier League

Two teams without a single point in this years Premier League campaign will go head to head on Saturday as newly-promoted Newcastle take on West Ham United at St. James` Park.

The Magpies looked strong in the first 48 minutes of their opener against Tottenham Hotspur but a needless red card for Jonjo Shelvey handed to initiative to their opponents who strolled to a 2-0 win. Since then, a 1-0 defeat away to fellow promoted side Huddersfield Town last week and a midweek League Cup exit at home to Nottingham Forest has left Toon fans feeling a little less optimistic about the season ahead.

Tensions between Coach Rafa Benitez and owner Mike Ashley are still running high with the former feeling that his transfer needs are not being met in this window. With such drama behind the scenes, a win on the pitch would bring some welcome relief for the Geordies.

Meanwhile, West Ham United are also winless this term, although they did manage to score twice at Southampton despite only having 10 men on the pitch. They followed that up with a midweek League Cup win over lowly Cheltenham Town.

Coach Slaven Bilic is once again under pressure with suggestions that the owners are already eyeing up replacements. It was widely reported that Toon boss Rafa Benitez nearly joined West Ham United before taking the reins at Real Madrid in a chain of events that eventually led to the Croatians appointment.

Injury news

Newcastle United:

Injuries - F Lejeune (ankle), D. Yedlin (hamstring).

Doubtful - D. Gayle (illness).

West Ham United:

Injuries: W. Reid (calf strain).

Doubtful: M. Lanzini (knee), C. Kouyate (knee), A. Carroll (groin strain).

Recent form (all competitions)

Newcastle United: LLWWL

West Ham United: LLLDD

Betting odds and tips

West Ham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 away game in the league, so the home side can be expected to grab their first goal of the season in this game. However, the Hammers showed some fighting spirit against Southampton and have a good scoring record away from home against clubs in the lower half of the table. As a result, the both teams to score bet looks tempting here.

You can back Both Teams to Score at 7/10 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris