Premier League: West Brom v West Ham match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at The Hawthorns

Sam Allardyce in typically furious form on the sideline (Getty Images)

In 12th place and on 37 points, West Ham fans should be confident that their side have done enough to avoid the drop this season. West Brom supporters, on the other hand, will look to the visit of Sam Allardyce’s team as a must win victory in their battle for survival.

The Baggies should be home and dry, but for a crippling inability to hold on to leads at The Hawthorns. They were 3-2 up against fellow strugglers Cardiff, only to concede a devastating equaliser in stoppage time. Their last home match also finished 3-3, despite Pepe Mel’s men storming into a3-0 lead against Spurs. The score the last time they faced the Hammers? 3-3.

West Ham have suffered three consecutive defeats, and Sam Allardyce will want to silence his critics with three points on the road. Their last victory away from home came courtesy of an Andy Carroll header against Sunderland, and the big striker will fancy getting on the score-sheet again here; he scored a brace in the Hammers’ 3-1 win over West Brom last season.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

West Ham 3 (Cole, Maiga, Nolan) West Brom 3 (Anelka 2, Berahino), Premier League, December 2013 West Ham 3 (Carroll 2, O’Neil) West Brom 1 (Dorrans), Premier League, March 2013 West Brom 0 West Ham 0, Premier League, December 2012

STATS…

West Brom have won just once in their last ten Premier League meetings with West Ham.

Andy Carroll has only scored more goals against Man City (5), than against West Brom (3).

West Brom have the fewest wins of any side in the top-flight this season.

While West Brom have thrown away 15 points from winning positions, the Hammers have let a league high 20 points slip when they have been ahead.

West Brom have only failed to score in one of their last five games.

ODDS…

West Brom to win: 1.96

West Ham to win: 4.3

Draw: 3.8

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm