Michael Owen has predicted Newcastle United to draw with West Ham when the two sides meet at St James Park on Saturday.
The BT Sport pundit revealed that he thought the Magpies’ clash with the Hammers had draw written all over it and suggested the scoreline of 1-1.
Owen pointed out that the two Premier League sides had identical playing records going into Saturday’s match but highlighted the fact the Magpies were going into this match on the back of a more positive result.
“Newcastle face West Ham at St James Park with both clubs sitting on twelve points and identical playing records,” wrote Owen in his predictions for BetVictor.
“United were delighted to take maximum points from Monday’s trip to Burnley which was their third win on the bounce.
“The Hammers have had some eye catching results but have struggled for consistency and were thrashed 4-0 at home against Manchester City last weekend.
“They have a strong forward line so it’s not often they fire a blank and I expect them to find the net in the North East.
“With the teams so well matched this has draw written all over it however and 1-1 can be backed.”
OPINION
It’s rather spooky that West Ham and the Magpies have identical records going into their showdown and it would be even spookier if it stayed that way. The two clubs had polar opposite transfer windows in the summer so it’s amusing that both have ended up with the same points total at this stage of the season. The Hammers spent big and welcomed several tremendously talented players to accompany their prestigious new manager, but injuries have really cost them. West Ham lost summer recruit Andriy Yarmolenko to injury, just when he was starting to look the real deal, and that’s only scratching the surface when looking at the medical problems Pellegrini has had to deal with. The Magpies spent nowhere near enough in the summer in comparison and this is one of the reason why they didn’t hit the ground running this season. However after guiding his side to three wins on the bounce, Rafa Benitez is no doubt confident he can get all three points on Saturday and avoid having to settle for a draw.
