West Ham have looked turgid in recent weeks, and performances have shown no signs of picking up under their new manager. In fact, with 20 goals conceded after just nine Premier League matches, the Hammers have leaked the most goals in the division. They rank 2nd-bottom in the league for total xGA, with only Burnley conceding more, while they have fared equally as poorly at the other end of the field.

West Ham have scored just two goals in their four matches under Nuno Espirito Santo so far, who hasn’t quite yet been able to figure out an optimal playing style. In fact, the Hammers’ goalscoring tally of seven is the second-lowest in the English top flight, and a xG total of 7.6 highlights just how much they have struggled in the final third. Based on that, Newcastle will be hopeful of securing victory.

Confidence in the Newcastle camp should be higher than ever, as they come into this game following three successive wins. They were able to secure progression to the EFL Cup quarter-finals by beating Tottenham on Wednesday night, as Eddie Howe looks to mount a strong title defence.

That was even despite Newcastle making several changes from the weekend league game against Fulham - the Magpies have real depth this season and are able to compete on multiple fronts.

Bruno Guimaraes was the hero at the weekend, as his 90th-minute strike sent the home crowd into jubilation, securing a massive three points for Newcastle. Despite the narrow victory, the hosts racked up 18 shots and four big chances worth 2.14xG, so it was a deserved win. Bernd Leno was a standout performer for the visitors, as he racked up a total of five saves.

While West Ham have struggled going forward this season, Jarrod Bowen has remained a bright spark and has continued to put in consistent performances. The English international has three goals to his name after nine league starts, and has provided one assist. He bagged 13 league goals last season, and 16 in the campaign before that.

Bowen is averaging 2.0 shots per 90 this season, which in itself is nothing to write home about, but he has hit the target with 50% of his efforts, and landed this selection in nine out of 10 games in total. In fact, the only game he failed was against Arsenal at the Emirates - arguably the toughest defensive matchup in the league this season. In that game, the Hammers managed just four attempts as a team.

Crysencio Summerville made just seven Premier League starts for West Ham last season, during which he had an average of 1.0 fouls committed per 90, but he has been a lot more involved this term, and has seen a notable increase in infringements.

With his side really struggling, Summerville’s frustration has been apparent in recent weeks. He has been booked in each of his last three straight games, during which he has racked up a total of six fouls. In fact, Summerville has landed this selection in four out of six starts this season, registering multiple infringements in all of those games.

He was particularly animated in West Ham’s 2-0 loss against Brentford, as his side often found themselves exposed in midfield. Because of that, Summerville had to track back a lot more than he would have wanted, and he was booked for a cynical foul.

Summerville has typically operated on the left-wing this season, but he swapped with Jarrod Bowen last weekend and played on the opposite flank. Being right-footed, he was more inclined to look to take on his opposing defender, as opposed to cutting inside to take a shot.

Summerville is averaging 2.42 fouls drawn per 90 this season for West Ham, and if he is to start on the same wing, will be up against 6’5 Dan Burn for Newcastle. Even if Bowen reverts to his more natural position, the Englishman is drawing an average of 1.7 fouls per 90, so either is a great matchup to target Burn here.

The big man has racked up a total of 13 fouls in his seven starts since being shifted out into a fullback role, during which he has been carded twice. Against a tricky winger who will look to take him on, Burn could struggle.

Jacob Murphy scored his first goal of the season against Fulham last weekend, helping his side secure their third victory of the season. The winger has featured sporadically under Eddie Howe this term, and was left out of the starting 11 in midweek, which potentially suggests he is in line for a re-call this weekend.

Murphy’s minutes have been limited so far, but he has looked sharp when he has played. The 30-year-old is averaging 4.07 shots per 90 in all competitions this season, the highest of any Newcastle player, and has hit the target in five out of six starts. The only game he failed, like Bowen, was against Arsenal.

If Murphy does start, he is unlikely to play the full 90, but his replacement tends to be Harvey Barnes, who is averaging 2.93 shots per 90 this term. Taking advantage of the Super Sub feature, this price looks inflated.

Nick Woltemade accounted for just one shot out of Newcastle’s 10 in midweek against Tottenham, but that was all he needed, as he nodded in from close range. That was the Germans’ sixth goal in Newcastle colours since arriving for £70 million in the summer, underlining what has been a bright start to life in England.

He has already scored in some tough matchups, including against Arsenal, Brighton and Tottenham, so he will be looking forward to facing this West Ham side who have the worst defensive record in the Premier League so far.

Woltemade already has a large responsibility in this Newcastle side, and will be the designated penalty taker. The 6’5 centre forward bagged 17 goals in all competitions for Stuttgart last season, so clearly has an eye for goal, and he will hope to score in his third successive away match.