English Premier League: Newcastle United vs West Ham United – LIVE scores

Newcastle United vs West Ham United: The first weekend of English Premier League action is almost done and dusted with two Sunday matches completing a full opening round.

In the first of those Sunday matchups Newcastle United and West Ham meet in a clash that is likely to set the tone for both sides.

The Magpies and the Hammers find themselves in similar positions as club’s with great history who are currently looking to regain past glories. West Ham had the better season last term enjoying a sixth-place finish while Newcastle were involved in the relegation battle until a couple of weeks before the end of the season.

It’s not unrealistic to suggest that either side could find themselves in the top half of the table come the end of the season but neither will believe this early that a relegation battle might be in their immediate future.

Newcastle United vs West Ham – LIVE scores

Team news and previews

West Ham make their longest domestic trip of the season on the opening weekend, travelling 456km north to St James’ Park.

The Hammers will bring 3,000 travelling fans with them with a total of 50,000 expected to be in attendance following the lifting of some restrictions by the UK government.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce will face off against a familiar foe in the opposing dugout in David Moyes.

West Ham look set to hand a debut to goalkeeper Alphonse Areola after the France international completed a season-long loan from PSG.

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Moyes will hope Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring) and Arthur Masuaku (knee) are ready to return to first-team duty, while Winston Reid has been ruled out after suffering an injury on Olympic duty with New Zealand.

Bruce has been quiet in the transfer market this summer, signing only youngsters Cameron Ferguson (from Tranmere Rovers), Remi Savage (from Liverpool) and Charlie Wiggett (from Chelsea) coming in before the recent announcement of the signing of Joe Willock.

Bruce has confirmed that Newcastle United academy graduate Freddie Woodman will make his Premier League debut on Sunday in the absence of Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow.

Newcastle United vs West Ham United possible teams

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Fernandez, Lascelles, Schar; Murphy, Hayden, S. Longstaff, Almiron, Ritchie; Wilson, Saint-Maximin

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma; Antonio