Newcastle United v West Ham United
Premier League, St James' Park, Saturday 4 February 2023, 5.30pm GMT
West Ham United embark on our longest journey of the 2022/23 season on Saturday when we head to Newcastle United for a tea-time kick-off.
The Magpies have been reborn under their new ownership - a consortium of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben Brothers - and the management of Eddie Howe, this week booking their place in a first Wembley final since 1999 to back-up their current standing of third in the Premier League table.
Thoughts of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United will take a back seat until the end of the month, however, with plenty of league points to play for, and West Ham will look to knock them out of their stride on Saturday.
David Moyes' men have enjoyed an upturn in form themselves since the turn of the year, winning three, drawing one and losing just one of our five January fixtures.
With a 2-0 Premier League success being backed up by a win by the same scoreline over Derby County in the FA Cup earlier this week, the east Londoners will head to the North East with confidence levels rising.
Tickets
The first 90% of tickets sold out to Bondholders and Season Ticket Holders with 23+ Loyalty Points. The remaining 10% (320 tickets) were then made available to Season Ticket Holders who had yet to purchase for this fixture by a ballot process. This ballot closed at 12pm on Monday 16 January.
Travel
With no unreserved car parking on matchdays and traffic restrictions galore, Newcastle United ‘strongly recommend’ that supporters use public transport to reach St James’ Park.
If you do opt to drive to the North East, the Magpies operate Park and Ride from two sites close to the A1 motorway – one at Newcastle Great Park (near Newcastle Racecourse) and the other at the Metrocentre in Gateshead.
It’s probably more relaxing to let the train take the strain, with East Coast Mainline services from London Kings Cross stopping at Newcastle Central, just a signposted ten-minute walk from the stadium. Alternatively, you can take a taxi. Book your train tickets at lner.co.uk.
If you prefer, you can take a coach, National Express will deliver you to Newcastle Coach Station on St James’ Boulevard, while Megabus operates from outside Newcastle Central railway station.
How to Follow
Saturday's game will be broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event.
If you live outside the UK, click here for details of listings in your territory.
You can listen to commentary in the UK on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio 5 Live (second half only), BBC Radio London 94.9FM and worldwide on whufc.com and our official app.
You can also follow the action via our live blog on whufc.com and our app and across our social media channels. We will also have highlights and exclusive reaction for you after the final whistle.
Team News
West Ham United were without striker Gianluca Scamacca and defender Kurt Zouma for Monday night's FA Cup victory at Derby County due to knee and thigh injuries respectively.
Danny Ings was cup tied for the Pride Park Stadium clash, but would have missed out in any case with a knee problem of his own.
Maxwel Cornet, who has been out of action since October with a calf issue, is edging closer to a return.
Newcastle United will be missing Brazil international midfielder Bruno Guimarães due to suspension, after he was sent-off in the Magpies' Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win against Southampton.
Opposition
What a difference a year makes for Newcastle United.
This time 12 months ago, the Magpies had just completed a January transfer window which played a huge role in lifting them away from relegation danger and ultimately a finish of eleventh in the Premier League table.
A remarkable run of 12 wins from their final 18 matches gave them the springboard into this campaign - which has gone even better.
The January 2022 arrivals of Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimarães and Dan Burn were supplemented by the likes of Matt Targett, Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak in the summer, and Eddie Howe's men have barely looked back.
Just one defeat - and eleven goals conceded - from the opening 20 Premier League games this season means the Magpies currently sit third in the table and dreaming of a first UEFA Champions League campaign in 20 years.
Add to that a run to the Carabao Cup final - their semi-final success against Southampton in midweek has set up a final against Manchester United later this month - and it is fair to say there is a real feel-good factor on Tyneside.
It stands in stark contrast to the three consecutive bottom-half finishes which preceded last term's climb up the standings and it is clear the Hammers will face a very different task to the one they found on their last visit to St James' Park on the first day of last season.
Previous Meetings
West Ham United gained four points from their meetings with Newcastle United last season, having drawn 1-1 at London Stadium and triumphed 4-2 in the North East back on the opening day of the campaign.
The Hammers and Magpies also met on the opening weekend of the previous season, when second-half goals from Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick sent the Irons to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at London Stadium in September 2020.
Overall, the two sides have met 48 times in the Premier League since 1993/94. West Ham have won 14, Newcastle have won 22 and 12 have ended in draws.
In all competitions, our biggest ever win over Newcastle was the famous 8-1 First Division success achieved by the Boys of '86. Alvin Martin scored a hat-trick against three different goalkeepers, including England forward Peter Beardsley, at the Boleyn Ground on 21 April 1986.
Overall, the two clubs have met 139 times since February 1908, with the Magpies holding the all-time advantage with 57 wins to the Hammers’ 43, with 39 draws.
Match Officials
Referee: Peter Bankes
Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Neil Swarbrick
Assistant VAR: Richard West
Saturday's game will be refereed by Peter Bankes, who is in his fourth season as a Select Group 1 official.
The 40-year-old will be taking charge of his third West Ham United fixture of the season, having been the man in the middle for a pair of 1-1 draws - first against Tottenham Hotspur on 31 August and then at Southampton on 16 October.
In his career, Bankes has refereed West Ham on five occasions previously, four in the Premier League and an EFL Cup defeat at Leicester City in September 2015.
