West Ham v Reading: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Upton Park

Kevin Nolan (GETTY IMAGES)

Sam Allardyce’s side have enjoyed a good first season back in the top-flight and a win on Sunday against the Premier League’s bottom club can guarantee them a tenth place finish.

Hammers striker Andy Carroll who is currently on loan from Liverpool, will be looking to finish his impressive second half of the season on a high before he has to decide on his future in the summer with the Hammers and Newcastle both reportedly interested in acquiring his services.

The Royals have the opportunity to do the double over West Ham on Sunday and give their fans something to shout about following their poor performance in the Premier League.

Following his England call-up, goalkeeper Alex McCarthy will be hoping he can keep up his rich vein of form and stop West Ham’s dynamic duo Carroll and Kevin Nolan from condemning Reading to their 22 loss of the season.

Reading manager Nigel Adkins will be hoping that his side can bounce straight back to the Premier League next season following their relegation to the Championship.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Reading 1 (Pogrebnyak) West Ham 0, Premier League, December 2012

West Ham 2 (Cole, Vaz Te) Reading 4 (Gorkss, Hunt, Harte, Leigertwood), Championship, March 2012

Reading 3 (Pearce, Church x2) West Ham 0, Championship, December 2011

STATS…

Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan are West Ham’s joint top scorers with 7 goals each.

Alex Mccarthy has been forced into a save every seventeen minutes this season, more than any other keeper.

Reading have the second worst goal defensive record in the Premier League this season, they’ve conceded 69 goals and are just ahead of Wigan who have conceded 71.

Adam Le Fondre is Reading’s top scorer with 13 goals this season, despite only starting 14 games.

ODDS…

West Ham to win: 1.7

Reading to win: 5.8

Draw: 4.1

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm.