Three of the last four encounters between Newcastle and West Ham finished as score draws, so bettors might be wise to look beyond the match result markets on Saturday with goals a savvier pursuit.

Newcastle have had major issues defensively this season and only seven clubs in the division have conceded more goals than the Magpies so far.

Their problems at the back have been rooted in an injury crisis that has deprived them of the services of first-choice keeper Nick Pope for an extended period, while key defenders Kieran Tripper and Sven Botman are also sidelined.

With gaps to exploit, West Ham have an excellent chance of scoring against Newcastle – a feat they achieved twice (2-2) in the reverse fixture between the teams and have done in each of their last six meetings with the Magpies overall.

The Irons have been far from rock-solid at the back themselves however, indeed, they are one of the seven Premier League sides with a worse defensive record than Newcastle. Leaky West Ham conceded two or more goals in five of their seven league assignments in the lead-up to the international break, and have let in 28 in 14 away matches overall this term.

With chief ball-winning midfielder Edson Alvarez suspended, West Ham should be even more vulnerable than usual in their own third, so expect Newcastle to create opportunities.

The defensive problems in both camps are stark enough to produce an exciting lunchtime rendezvous and backing BTTS or over 2.5 goals to land could pay dividends again here.

Alexander Isak is a high-class operator whose blend of speed and skill has been troubling numerous Premier League defences this season. The Swedish international hit ten shots on target in his last seven top-tier outings for Newcastle and the 24-year-old should have chances to test the West Ham keeper on Saturday.

Alexander Isak scored twice from two shots on target against West Ham in October and he deserves to be in the reckoning in the 1+ shots on target market against the Irons again this weekend. His team-mate in attack, Anthony Gordon, also gets the nod in the same arena.

Gordon is a consistent threat from the left flank and he managed to register a shot on target in seven of his last nine run-outs in the Premier League. His pace could be too much for West Ham full back Vladimir Coufal to handle, so back Gordon to manage at least one accurate attempt again.

For the visitors, Jarrod Bowen is the standout pick and the wideman should have a spring in his step following some impressive showings for England during the international break.

Already in the midst of his best-ever Premier League campaign from a goalscoring perspective, Bowen has been averaging 1.10 shots on target per outing in the top-flight this term.

Both Newcastle and West Ham rank as bottom six sides in the Premier League for corners this season, winning just 4.21 and 4.61 of them per fixture respectively.

When the teams met at the London Stadium earlier in the campaign, West Ham won four corners to Newcastle’s two, though both tallies were modest and an increase in corner-winning output in Saturday’s rematch isn’t a given.

Newcastle won four or fewer corners in seven of their last nine Premier League matches, while West Ham won two or fewer in six of their last ten contests in the division.

In fact, Newcastle’s Premier League fixtures this season have seen fewer total corners on average (9.54) than anyone else’s, so if you are determined to add a corner leg to your bet builder, make sure to aim low.

The value in the markets dips below over 8.5 corners, while adding West Ham to your docket in the over 2.5 corners realm could be a useful overall odds-padder. The Irons have managed that feat in 11 of their 13 Premier League away fixtures since August.

Newcastle and West Ham have been balanced enough when walking the disciplinary tightrope this season, accumulating 2.10 and 2.31 cards per game respectively so far, however, recent skirmishes between the sides have had plenty of needle.

Six cards were brandished in October’s 2-2 draw between the teams, while four of the last six meetings between Newcastle and West Ham produced four or more cards overall. With that history of heated duels likely to carry over, it might be worth adding over 3.5 cards to bet builders again.

In the individual stakes, West Ham midfielder Kalvin Phillips could be a neat pick-up at 1.73 to commit at least two fouls. The 28-year-old has had a tough time while feeling his way back up to pace with the Irons following his lengthy stint as a scarcely-used sub for Man City.

Phillips committed at least two fouls in each of his last two starts for the Hammers and ten in his last four Premier League involvements overall.

For Newcastle, Bruno Guimaraes is the player likely to bring the most aggression to proceedings. With his fellow Brazilian bruiser Joelinton injured, Guimaraes has had even more dirty work to get through in the middle and the 26-year-old gave away free kicks in nine of his last 13 starts.

Guimaraes committed two fouls and was booked against West Ham in October, so expect him to be right in the thick of the midfield skirmishes again on Saturday.