Eighty-four days after ending a uniquely challenging, record-breaking season by securing a sixth-place finish and European qualification, West Ham United return to Premier League action.
The Hammers make their longest domestic trip of the season on the opening weekend, travelling 283 miles north to St James' Park to face Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
With COVID restrictions lifted – but Premier League protocols remaining in place – a capacity crowd is expected this weekend, making for the largest crowd the Irons have played in front of since Arsenal away on 7 March 2020.
With 50,000-plus set to be in attendance, David Moyes' squad will need to rise to the occasion on Tyneside, where they were edged out 3-2 on their most recent visit in April.
Kick-off on Sunday is at 2pm, with the match being broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports from 1pm and across the world by the Premier League's international broadcast partners.
We will also be covering the game live with a blog on whufc.com and our Official App and across our social media channels, with goals, highlights and exclusive reaction to follow after the final whistle.
Ticket news
West Ham United's allocation of 3,000 tickets for this fixture have now sold out.
Official Coach Travel will also run to and from St James' Park, departing London Stadium at 5.30am on Sunday. For further details, click here.
Matchday information
Newcastle United have produced a matchday guide, including key information on travel to the ground, Premier League protocols and more. Click here to read it in full.
Team news
West Ham United could hand a debut to goalkeeper Alphonse Areola after the France international completed a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
David Moyes will also hope Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring) and Arthur Masuaku (knee) are ready to return to first-team duty, while Winston Reid is still working his way back to fitness after suffering an injury on Olympic duty with New Zealand.
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has been quiet in the transfer market this summer, signing only youngsters Cameron Ferguson (from Tranmere Rovers), Remi Savage (from Liverpool) and Charlie Wiggett (from Chelsea) at time of writing.
However, the Magpies were reported to be seeking a deal for Arsenal forward Joe Willock, who scored Newcastle's winner against West Ham in April while on loan from the Gunners.
Taking the knee
As confirmed in a joint statement by English football's governing bodies earlier this month, Premier League clubs will continue to take the knee before kick-off to protest against racism and discrimination.
The 20 Premier League clubs and players have resolved to work together against racism and all forms of discrimination. There is no place in football or society for any form of prejudice and while there have been strides made across our game, recent events have reminded us there is still much work to be done.
Taking the knee is an individual choice that many players wish to make as a way of peacefully demonstrating against racism and injustice. This gesture of unity is not new, and we do not view it as an alignment to any political organisation or ideology, but rather raising the awareness of this important issue. We ask that fans respect any player that wishes to take the knee and support them in their stance against discrimination.
While not all players will choose to express their opposition to discrimination through taking the knee, players, clubs and authorities are committed to work as a collective to address all prejudiced behaviour through the coming season and beyond.
The opposition – Newcastle United
You might not have realised it at the time, but Newcastle United actually finished last season in a more than respectable 12th place.
The Magpies won five of their final eight Premier League matches to comfortably quell fears of relegation and ended the campaign with 45 points - a whopping 17 more than Fulham in 18th.
Steve Bruce may continue to split opinion among the passionate Toon Army, but there can be no doubt that the experienced manager has stabilised Newcastle as a Premier League club, without breaking the bank to do so.
Despite losing influential players such as England forward Callum Wilson and French winger Allan Saint-Maximin to injury last term, Bruce steered Newcastle through choppy waters to the relative calm of mid-table come May.
Wilson, who simply loves playing against West Ham, and Saint-Maximin are both proven Premier League performers who can hurt any defence, while the potential signing of the exciting Willock will provide Newcastle with even more attacking threat.
Off the pitch, things remain uncertain at St James' Park, with long-time owner Mike Ashley's attempts to sell the club to Middle Eastern investors held up by legal proceedings involving the Premier League.
Previous meetings
West Ham United were beaten home and away by Newcastle United last season - one of only four clubs to do the 'double' over David Moyes' side, the others being Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
The Hammers and Magpies also met on the opening weekend of 2020/21, when second-half goals from Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick sent the Irons to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at London Stadium last September.
Moyes' men then travelled to the North East in April, where Craig Dawson's red card was sandwiched by quickfire goals from Issa Diop (in his own net) and Joelinton. Diop and Jesse Lingard clawed West Ham level, only for a late Joe Willock header to break Hammers hearts.
West Ham's most recent win at St James' Park was on 1 December 2018, when Chicharito scored twice and Felipe Anderson once in a convincing 3-0 win.
And the Hammers' most recent win over Newcastle anywhere came three months later at London Stadium, when Mark Noble's penalty and a Declan Rice header secured a 2-0 victory.
Overall, the two sides have met 46 times in the Premier League since 1993/94. West Ham have won 13, Newcastle have won 22 and eleven have ended in draws.
Going back further, our biggest ever win over Newcastle was the famous 8-1 First Division success achieved by the Boys of '86. Alvin Martin scored a hat-trick against three different goalkeepers at the Boleyn Ground on 21 April 1986.
Overall, the two clubs have met 137 times since February 1908, with the Magpies holding the all-time advantage with 57 wins to the Hammers’ 42, with 38 draws.
Opening day
West Ham United will kick-off the Club's 26th Premier League season at St James' Park on Sunday.
The Hammers have lost their previous five opening-day fixtures, with the most recent opening weekend win coming at Arsenal in August 2015.
Overall, of our 25 previous opening weekend fixtures in the Premier League, West Ham have won ten, lost 14 and drawn just one, 0-0 at home to Leeds United in August 1994!
Match officials
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant Referees: Lee Betts and James Mainwaring
Fourth Official: David Coote
VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Neil Davies
Born in the village of Drighlington, midway between Leeds and Bradford in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in March 1971, Martin Atkinson began refereeing at the age of 16.
He joined the Football League as an assistant referee aged 27, in 1998, before being promoted to the national list of referees five years later.
Atkinson refereed his first Premier League game, Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Birmingham City, in April 2005. The following year, 2006, he was appointed to the FIFA list of international referees.
Atkinson has officiated a number of high-profile matches, including the 2011 FA Cup final, 2014 EFL Cup final, UEFA Champions League and international matches, including being England’s representative at UEFA Euro 2016.
The 50-year-old has referred West Ham United on 58 occasions, including the 4-0 home Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last September and the 3-0 final-day win over Southampton at London Stadium in May.
How can I follow the game?
Sunday's 2pm kick-off will be broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports from 1pm and across the world by the Premier League's international broadcast partners.
The Club will also be covering the game live with a blog on whufc.com and our Official App and across our social media channels, with goals, highlights and exclusive reaction to follow after the final whistle.
