Newcastle vs West Ham
13th vs 14th
PREVIEW
A meeting between 13th and 14th respectively at St James’ Park, another of Saturday’s Premier League fixtures that might be considered too close to call.
Rafa Benitez’s side shot up the bottom half of the table in November, with Monday’s win at Burnley extending their unbeaten run to four matches – the last three of which have been vital wins.
Their streak has to end eventually and, given the fact the Magpies have lost five of seven on Tyneside this term, the Hammers will fancy their chances.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side had eight corners against Man City last week, a surprise considering the 0-4 scoreline, and have taken a total of 24 corners in their last three Premier League matches.
OPTA STATS
Newcastle have won their last three Premier League matches against West Ham, their best run against the Hammers since winning four in a row between September 1993 and March 1995.
West Ham have won just one of their last 14 Premier League visits to St. James’ Park against Newcastle (D5 L8), a 1-0 win in November 2012.
After losing their first five home league games this season, Newcastle have picked up back-to-back Premier League victories at St James’ Park.
Only Fulham (0) have kept fewer clean sheets than West Ham in the Premier League this season (1).
West Ham’s Andy Carroll (pictured) has scored just once in 14 Premier League games against his former clubs, netting in a 2-0 win for the Hammers against Liverpool in January 2016.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has won six of his seven home Premier League matches against West Ham (D1).
Manuel Pellegrini has won just one of his first six away Premier League matches as West Ham manager (W1 D2 L3) – he also won one of his first six as Man City manager (W1 D1 L4).
