The Newcastle stat that will worry West Ham United fans

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Both sides meet in the Premier League on Saturday – but one statistic weighs heavily in the Magpies’ favour.

Going into Saturday afternoon’s Premier League clash between Newcastle United and West Ham United, one could be forgiven for assuming Alan Pardew’s side face a tough task at Upton Park.

Of that, in fact, there is no doubt, as fifth travel to sixth, where Sam Allardyce’s men will be buoyed by the famous Boleyn Ground atmosphere.

The form-books, however, currently favour the visiting Magpies. And one quirky statistic in particular weighs heavily in Newcastle’s favour.

Indeed, as Opta stats show, Newcastle have won all seven of the seven games they have played in November over the past two years.

This November, Pardew’s Magpies have won three out of three, scoring four and conceding an impressive zero goals. That’s despite averaging less than 45 per cent possession.

It was a similar story last year, when Newcastle won four out of four. The Hammers, by contrast, have won just once in seven November games over the past two years.

It is a very intriguing statistic – and one that is difficult to explain. This term, the international break has certainly impeded West Ham, with both Stewart Downing and Diafra Sakho getting injured while away with their countries.

But how will that record impact Saturday’s game?