After the soundless lull that is the international break, Newcastle return to Premier League action with a visit to Upton Park. West Ham, clutching at the fading remains of the momentum gained from the win at Liverpool a fortnight ago, will be hoping to secure points at home for the first time this season.
Though the numerical gap between these teams is, at this early stage in the season, a yawning four points wide, this match should be a healthy, even contest. Newcastle are yet to win in the league under Steve McClaren, but their creditable draws against Southampton and Manchester United, as well as a narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal, already indicate they have improved on the dire slop that was served up last season. Florian Thauvin has looked like an intriguing new addition, and Georgino Wijnaldum has added a spritz of agility and thrust to the Magpie midfield.
Of all the desired places in which to click into gear as an attacking unit, Upton Park appears to top the list, with Bournemouth – who were yet to score a goal in the league – scoring four when they came to East London in August. Yes, West Ham have been dire at home so far, appearing particularly flummoxed and flimsy in defence. Their stunning away results have made their home form appear even more perplexingly unpleasant, and Slaven Bilic has no doubt spent the international break trying to determine exactly what is wrong. Unlikely victories over high-ranked opponents cannot be relied upon to ensure a positive final position on the table; points gained from more evenly-matched teams can.
Key Battle: Mark Noble and Georgino Wijnaldum
Mark Noble’s red card, rather imprudently bestowed by Kevin Friend in last week’s win over Liverpool, was retracted during the break, and rightfully so. Consequently, Noble is free to play against Newcastle and for West Ham this is excellent news; Noble’s tireless, terrier-like patrolling of the midfield will be crucial in suppressing the buoyant Dutchman Wijnaldum. Newcastle’s midfield dynamo tends to surge suddenly through the middle, blessed as he is with prodigious pace and an ability to dribble with precision at full-tilt. He won three of his four take-ons against Manchester United, and spent 87% of his time in the very middle of the pitch, just the zone that Noble considers firmly his territory. McClaren, a highly capable manager to be sure, will have noticed just how fruitfully Leicester City and Bournemouth prospered on the counter in West Ham’s last two home matches, and will likely adopt a similar approach. Wijnaldum will be central – both physically and metaphorically – to Newcastle’s counter attacking plan, and Noble will have to be at his discreet best to stop the Dutchman scything through. Noble has regularly had trouble balancing his progressive forward play with his defensive responsibilities, too often earning a nasty yellow card for a ill-timed, desperate lunge while chasing back. Wijnaldum is a bright, zingy enemy who can escape in an instant, so Noble will have to be careful.
Team News and Expected Lineups
West Ham are still without Enner Valencia and, naturally, Andy Carroll for this match, but Mauro Zarate may return from his hamstring injury in time, likewise defensive utility-man Joey O’Brien. Alex Song remains in recovery and will not be in the squad, along with first-choice keeper Adrian, still serving his three-match suspension. With James Tomkins stolid and assured last week against Liverpool, Bilic might well leave Carl Jenkinson on the bench, and have only the left-sided Aaron Cresswell to attack down the flanks. Gabriel Ogbonna and Winston Reid will continue their fine partnership, and Pedro Obiang and Noble will guard the midfield. Chiekhou Kouyate will remain a vital part of the starting lineup, as will Dimitri Payet. In favour of the youngster Manuel Lanzini, this weekend may hold the promise of a club debut for either Victor Moses or Michail Antonio. Diafra Sakho will start up front. With Obiang the dedicated holding midfielder, and Kouyate and Payet to adopt roving roles, Bilic’s formation may only resemble a traditional 4-3-3 in the television graphic.
Newcastle have a number of absences, although none that are too devastating. Mike Williamson, Emmanuel Riviere and Sylvain Marveaux are all unavailable, and to include the returning Paul Dummett will be a match-day decision. New signing Aleksandar Mitrovic will be regrettably absent, after his red card against Arsenal. As to who will replace the towering Serb, Siem de Jong and Papiss Cisse are both in contention. Like Wijnaldum, Moussa Sissoko is a formidable weapon on the counter, as is the pacy Thauvin. They will start in front of the industrious duo, Jack Colback and Vernon Anita. Fabricio Coloccini, who was excellent against Manchester United, will lead, as a defensive captain should, from the back.
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Head-to-Head and Previous Meeting
West Ham have won only two of their last eight meetings with Newcastle, though two of those matches ended in goalless stalemate. The Hammers lost 2-0 the last time they played Newcastle, although that loss came during the insipid final run of games under Sam Allardyce last season, when all vigour and energy had been visibly sucked from the squad. This will be a different encounter, with both teams now playing – and playing with zest – under new managers.
Prediction
Bilic has had ample time to sort out West Ham’s defensive shakiness. A much-improved home performance is due, and will come, with the home team securing all three points in a 2-0 win.
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