West Ham v Newcastle United: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Boleyn Ground

Andy Carroll (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Last week’s win considerably eased the burden on Sam Allardyce’s broad shoulders. The West Ham manager had come under extreme pressure, following a winless run stretching back six games. A trip to the Welsh capital proved to be just the remedy his side needed; the victory over Cardiff their first league win since November.

The victory intensified West Ham’s central defensive problems though. James Tomkins got shown a second yellow for connecting his foot with the side of Frazer Campbell’s face, while Guy Demel, who operated as a centre back on Saturday, was forced from the game on a stretcher. That leaves loanee Roger Johnson as the only available senior centre back in the squad, giving boss Sam Allardyce a problem to solve.

The win lifted the Hammers out of the relegation-zone, but they need a win against Newcastle to ensure they keep their heads above water.

Newcastle meanwhile still feel aggrieved from last week’s refereeing decisions. Check Tiote was convinced he had levelled against Manchester City, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The week has seen Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez leave the club to join fellow Premier League side Norwich. He had found himself on the fringes of a squad with a more than capable forward line. In the likes of Loic Remy and Hatem Ben Arfa the Magpies have more than enough French flair to take advantage of West Ham’s defensive woes, should they be on form.

A win against the Hammers will stop the rot; Newcastle have lost three on the bounce and are gradually slipping down the table.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Newcastle 0 West Ham 0, Premier League, August 2013

West Ham 0 Newcastle 0, Premier League, May 2013

Newcastle 0 West Ham 1 (Nolan), Premier League, November 2012

STATS:

Only one goal has been scored in the last three meetings between the two sides.

West Ham have won just one of their last seven.

Despite being nine places below Newcastle, the Hammers have only conceded three more.

The Magpies have lost three league games on the bounce.

ODDS:

West Ham to win: 2.9

Newcastle to win: 1.67

Draw: 3.3

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm