Newcastle United have, so far, accumulated a total of 49 league wins against the Hammers so Saturday's match could see the team notch that total up to the half century mark. The two sides have had five matches outside the league, all coming in the FA Cup, which were the first five matches between the two sides - the last of which took place in January 1915 so, since then, we have only played West Ham in a league match.

One of the more memorable games in this fixture was on the final day of the 2014/15 season where the club won their first match since the end of February to secure Premier League football for another season at St. James' Park. Jonas Gutierrez scoring his first goal since returning from cancer treatment to secure the much-needed points in what was sadly his 187th and final appearance for the club.

Facts and Figures

All Competitions

Newcastle wins: 52

West Ham wins: 40

Draws: 37

Premier League

Newcastle wins: 17

West Ham wins: 11

Draws: 10

Premier League at St. James' Park

Newcastle wins: 9

Draws: 6

West Ham wins: 3

Previous ten (all competitions)

Newcastle wins: 5 (14 goals)

West Ham wins: 3 (7 goals)

Draws: 2

Biggest win (in this fixture)

Newcastle United 5 - 0 West Ham (05/01/2011)

A hat-trick from Leon Best as he scored his first goals for the club after signing in January 2010 helped Newcastle to their biggest win over West Ham. It was a miserable season for the Hammers as they were the first of the three teams to be relegated that season. However, things brightened up as they returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking, helped by Kevin Nolan who was reunited with Sam Allardyce.

Biggest defeats (in this fixture)

Newcastle United 0 - 3 West Ham (23/08/1978)

Newcastle United 0 - 3 West Ham (31/10/1998)

Newcastle can be hopeful going into the game as West Ham do not boast of a good record at St. James' Park - they have only won one of their last thirteen trips to Tyneside. That one win came in November 2012 when club legend, Kevin Nolan scored the only goal of the game. I was full of admiration for him for not celebrating.

Going back to some of the first matches between the two clubs, West Ham went away with their first win at St. James' Park on their 18th visit to Tyneside. Their second win came 26 years later in April 1973.