West Ham United and Newcastle United meet on the opening day for the second successive season. Newcastle won 2-0 at the London Stadium last September.
Newcastle have won 22 Premier League matches against West Ham, equalling their best record against any side (they’ve also beaten Aston Villa and Tottenham 22 times). West Ham’s only victories in their past 17 Premier League away matches against Newcastle came in November 2012 and December 2018.
Newcastle have only taken one point from their past five season-opening Premier League fixtures at St James’ Park.
West Ham lost only two of their 20 league matches last season against the teams who finished in the bottom half of the table – though both were at the hands of Newcastle.
They scored three or more goals in 11 league matches last term. Only the top two of Manchester City and Manchester United did so more often.
The Hammers have lost their opening fixture of a Premier League campaign on 14 occasions, three more than any other team.
They could equal the record for a club losing its opening fixture in the most consecutive top-flight seasons: six, set by Burnley from 1891 to 1896 and Grimsby Town from 1934 to 1946.