Hammers confident of good result

Over Sixty Eight of Claret and Hugh readers expect a West Ham win against Newcastle this evening, a further 23% predict a draw with the remaining 9% predicting a Hammers loss at the London Stadium.

Newcastle are in fine form at the moment but West Ham will want to do the double over them after a 3-0 win away from home earlier this season.

Fabianski is almost guaranteed his start in in between the posts if fit, with Fabian Balbuena still a week away from a return Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna can almost guarantee their centre defensive partnership assuming they are both fit.  It would difficult to see how Ryan Fredericks could be dropped by Pellegrini after such a great performance against City so Zabaleta is likely to be on the bench.

Both Aaron Cresswell (broken toe) and Arthur Masuakau (knee) are thought to have recovered from injuries so Cresswell is most likely to get the nod if he passes a late fitness test.

Declan Rice is almost undroppable in his current form and we could see the return Mark Noble who was rested for the mid week game replace Pedro Obiang.

Although Manuel Lanzini played 45 minutes mid week I doubt he will be risked from the start but he could play a part later in the game.

Felipe Anderson is likely to start despite a poor performance against City, alongside him maybe Michail Antonio and Samir Nasri.

Marko Arnautovic is said to have recovered from a virus and I would expect him to start if fit.

Likely West Ham XI: Fabianski, Cresswell, Diop, Ogbonna, Fredericks, Rice, Noble, Antonio, Nasri, Anderson,  Arnautovic.