Newcastle United FC vs. West Ham United FC 8/15/21 - Premier League Picks & Predictions

On Sunday, Newcastle United hosts West Ham United at St. James Park to open the English Premier League schedule for both. Last season Newcastle finished 12th in the Top Flight English league table. Newcastle won three of its four preseason matches. The club had very few additions in transfers during the off-season and much of that was due to stalled takeover negotiations.

Newcastle will start without its top two goalkeepers and the club had only two clean sheets in the Premier League at-home last season. Freddie Woodman will start in goal for Newcastle and defender Paul Dummett will miss out with a calf injury. Newcastle's frontline will be Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, while Miguel Almiron should see plenty of action.

West Ham finished sixth last season and will participate in the Europa League this year. Jesse Lingard scored nine goals and assisted on five in his 16 appearances for West Ham last season after moving over from Manchester United on loan. West Ham defeated Atalanta 2-0 and Celtic 6-2 in two pre-season matches. West Ham has lost five consecutive opening matches in the Premier League.

West Ham has Arthur Masuaku, Manuel Lanzini and Angela Ogbonna all questionable for Sunday's opening match. Craig Dawson and Issa Diop will be West Ham's opening center-back pairing, while Michail Antonio is the top pick, up top for the Hammers and is the only recognized center forward the Hammers have.