West Ham United had a really wonderful season under David Moyes last time around, finishing sixth on the Premier League table and thereby securing European football this campaign.
Now, the pressure is even more on Moyes to maintain the same intensity and they kick off their season with an away game against Newcastle United.
The Hammers have lost their first league match in each of their last five campaigns but they are a totally different beast under Moyes so we expect West Ham to pick up all three points on Sunday.
Newcastle are undefeated in their last 5 matches against West Ham in all competitions and the experts are now waiting to see how the Hammers perform without Jesse Lingard in that creative midfielder’s role.
West Ham United team news vs Newcastle United:
West Ham United have signed Alphonse Areola this summer meaning Lukasz Fabianski’s position is now under serious threat.
It will be interesting to see who will be the No 1 in the side this season even though we feel that Fabianski is going to start in goal this weekend and maybe Areola will be introduced slowly in the coming weeks.
Ogbonna is still recovering from a hamstring injury and he is not going to be available for selection this weekend so Craig Dawson and Issa Diop are going to pair up in central defence with Cresswell and Coufal playing as the two full-backs.
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Soucek and Declan Rice have been a revelation in defensive midfield for the Hammers and the pair are guaranteed starters against Newcastle United. Several clubs have shown an inclination towards signing Rice but it looks like the England international is going nowhere this summer.
Manuel Lanzini has a minor groin injury and is not expected to feature in the starting line-up on Sunday. Pablo Fornals is going to play in that No 10 role.
Jarrod Bowen is another player who has gotten a lot of attention during the ongoing transfer window but he will start on the right wing with Benrahma operating on the other side.
David Moyes is on the hunt for a new striking partner for Michail Antonio but until someone arrives the 31-year-old will be leading the line for West Ham United.
Stats via Whoscored.
