Quantcast
Social Media

West Ham and Newcastle have identical records ahead of clash

|
Image for West Ham and Newcastle have identical records ahead of clash

OPINION

Rafa Benitez is clearly working wonders at Newcastle United once again this season and the statistic Michael Owen highlighted ahead of the clash with West Ham proves it.

The Magpies boss had to wait a while to see his side get their first win of the season but after winning the last matches on the bounce, the club now sit comfortably 13th in the Premier League table.

A lot of the Magpies’ failure to rack up a win sooner, and start relegation chatter, was due to the tough hand they had been dealt regarding the fixture list as they played several members of the expected top-six.

While Benitez’s had his tactics questioned during some of those matches, he has emerged from the other side of them with the last laugh as it appears to all be going the Magpies’ way as it stands.

If the Magpies boss needed any evidence to reflect the good work he is doing at St James Park, Owen highlighted the fact the Magpies’ had identical playing records ahead of facing West Ham when predicting their Saturday clash.

“Newcastle face West Ham at St James Park with both clubs sitting on twelve points and identical playing records,” wrote the former Magpies forward while tipping a draw on BetVictor’s blog.

When you consider that the Magpies only spent £22.5million on signing players in the summer (Source: Chronicle), with loan fees on top,  and are currently on the same points as the Hammers who spent nearly £100million (Source: The Telegraph) on new recruits, it proves Benitez has worked wonders already this season.

While Manuel Pellegrini will argue his squad have been hampered by injuries, it hasn’t exactly been plain sailing for the Magpies in that department either.

The two club’s records is even more favourable towards the work Benitez has done when you consider his side have only scored three less goals, despite being perceived as weaker up front,  and due to the fact they have notably conceded six less goals as well.

Benitez could show-off even more if the Magpies beat the Hammers on Saturday as it would obviously mean they’d have more points after 14 games played and it will be a testament to his talents.

Therefore Owen has highlighted a very intriguing stat in his prediction for the Magpies’ showdown with the Hammers as when you consider the two clubs had polar opposite summers, Benitez is clearly going above and beyond.

Share this article