When Newcastle emerged comfortable 2-0 winners from their first match of last season at the London Stadium, few imagined West Ham would end the campaign in sixth place. Or that, despite ultimately finishing a reasonably comfortable 12th, Steve Bruce’s team would look like relegation candidates for prolonged periods. Much here hinges on how Newcastle’s first large crowd – almost 50,000 are expected – since late February 2020 react to Bruce. Many fans still want him replaced but Joe Willock’s £25m arrival from Arsenal should help pacify dissent, while Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Miguel Almirón offer more than sufficient attacking flair to pose West Ham problems. Louise Taylor
Sunday 2pm Sky Sports Premier League
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle 3 West Ham 2
Referee Martin Atkinson
Last season G26 Y62 R2 2.46 cards/game
Odds H 23-10 A 23-18 D 45-17
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Gillespie, Manquillo, Schär, Krafth, Shelvey, Hendrick, M Longstaff, Joelinton, Gayle, Fraser
Doubtful None
Injured Dummett (calf, 21 Aug), Darlow (match fitness, 21 Aug), Dubravka (foot, Sep)
Suspended None
Discipline Y62 R3 (last season)
Leading scorer Wilson 12 (last season)
WEST HAM
Subs from Areola, Randolph, Martin, Fredericks, Coventry, Alves, Noble, Johnson, Baptiste, Odubeko, Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Silva, Masuaku
Doubtful Lanzini (groin)
Injured Ogbonna (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y49 R3 (last season)
Leading scorers Antonio, Soucek 10 (last season)
