West Ham United will attempt to claim successive victories in the Premier League for just the second time this season when they make the trip north to face high-flying Newcastle United at St James’ Park this evening.

The Hammers have fallen from their pedestal under David Moyes this season, teetering precariously above the relegation zone by just one point and two places prior to the start of today’s action.

Having qualified for the Europa League and the Europa Conference League across the past two campaigns, the Irons now face a battle to remain in the English top flight for next season.

Moyes did earn some welcome respite by defeating lowly Everton 2-0 in the Premier League last time out, a result which preceded an FA Cup victory over Derby County on Monday night, with the resurgent Jarrod Bowen netting three of the four goals during this period.

A trip to Tyneside represents a far more challenging obstacle for West Ham, though, with Eddie Howe’s high fliers perched in third place in the league and into the final of the Carabao Cup. Therefore, Moyes will need to ensure that his side are at their very best if they are to continue their winning streak.

Here is how Football FanCast expects the Irons manager to deploy his starting line-up for the encounter at St James’ Park, with five changes from Monday’s cup win at Derby…

West Ham predicted starting XI v Newcastle – Fabianski; Kehrer, Ogbonna, Aguerd; Coufal, Paqueta, Rice, Emerson; Bowen, Benrahma; Antonio

Established as first choice and “excellent” – as once heralded by Moyes – Lukasz Fabianski will likely come back into the team between the sticks after being rested in favour of Alphonso Areola on Monday night.

Right wing-back Ben Johnson started against the Rams but will likely be replaced by Vladimir Coufal, who has started the last five league outings in succession, while Emerson will hold his position on the opposite flank.

With the east Londoners short on central defensive options, the triad of Thilo Kehrer, Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd which started in the FA Cup will maintain their places against the Magpies.

In midfield, Declan Rice will return alongside £51m summer arrival Lucas Paqueta, with the dynamic duo holding the centre during the recent league win over Everton. That means Flynn Downes will be pushed back to the bench after earning a rare start against Derby, with Tomas Soucek also dropping out.

Bowen will almost certainly maintain his starting berth on the right-hand side of attack after scoring three goals from his past two appearances. On the other side, Said Benrahma’s inclusion in place of Pablo Fornals – who failed to have a single shot last Monday – might just sprinkle a bit of flair against a resilient Newcastle backline, the stingiest in the Premier League with just 11 goals shipped.

With £15m January signing Danny Ings sidelined due to injury, veteran forward Michael Antonio is expected to lead the line again, with his physicality perhaps well suited to posing a threat to a resolute Magpies backline.