Premier League: West Ham v Cardiff match preview

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

Cardiff take on West Ham, captained by Kevin Nolan, tomorrow (GETTY IMAGES)

West Ham have secured the permanent signing of striker Andy Carroll from Liverpool after his loan spell at the Hammers last season. Fans will be hoping he can add to the seven goals he scored in twenty two appearances. Manager Sam Allardyce has said this “has been one of the quietest summers I’ve had,” though he will be hoping new signing Stewart Downing will make a good start to the season as West Ham seek to improve on last season’s 10th place.

Newly promoted, Championship winners Cardiff will be targeting survival in their first ever season in the Premiership. Manager Malky Mackay has spent over £25m on new signings over the summer including the club record £11m signing of Seville midfielder Gary Medel. Cardiff fans will also be buoyed by the news that the club has announced plans to increase Cardiff City stadium capacity to 32,500 in time for the 2014/15 season.

KICK-OFF: Tomorrow, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

West Ham 3 (Nolan, Vaz Te, Maynard) Cardiff 0, Championship play-off, May 2012

Cardiff 0 West Ham 2 (Collinson 2), Championship play-off, May 2012

Cardiff 0 West Ham 2 (Nolan, McCartney), English Championship, March 2012

STATS…

Last time the two sides played was in the 2011/12 season Championship playoffs with West Ham winning 5-0 on aggregate.

Midfielder Kevin Nolan was West Ham’s top scorer last season, scoring 10 Premiership goals.

No Cardiff player scored in double figures last season in the Championship.

ODDS…

West Ham to win: 0.91

Cardiff to win: 2.9

Draw: 2.6

TV: highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.