Premier League: West Ham v Newcastle match preview

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

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan could come back to haunt his former club (GETTY IMAGES)

Newcastle United travel to Upton Park hoping to improve on their record of just one win in six games that has seen the club plunge further towards relegation.

Following Aston Villa’s 6-1 victory over Sunderland on Monday night, Alan Pardew’s men dropped to 17th place, their lowest during his reign and lie just five points clear of safety.

Wigan currently occupy the last remaining relegation place and they still have a game in hand on the Magpies who will be hoping to reach the normal Premier League safety mark of 40 points with victory on Saturday.

They will be met by a number of familiar faces in ex-manager Sam Allardyce and former players Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan who scored the winner when the two sides met at St. James Park back in November.

With survival assured, West Ham have the luxury of playing out the rest of the campaign under little pressure.

The Hammers 2-1 loss to Manchester City was their first defeat in six games and they have a great chance to finish in the top ten in their first season back in the top-flight following their relegation in 2011.

KICK-OFF:Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

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

Newcastle 5 (Best 3, Nolan, Lovenkrands) West Ham 0, Premier League, January 2011

West Ham 1 (Cole) Newcastle 2 (Nolan, Carroll), Premier League, October 2010

STATS…

West Ham’s 3-1 win over Newcastle in 2008 is their only home league victory in the previous six meetings between the two.

Manager Sam Allardyce has a 100 per cent win record in the three games he has faced Newcastle since being sacked from the club in 2008.

Newcastle’s 2-1 victory at Aston Villa in February is their only away league win this season.

It is the first time Alan Pardew has returned to Upton Park as an opposition manager since his departure in 2006.

ODDS…

West Ham to win: 2.36

Newcastle to win: 3.30

Draw: 3.55

CLASSIC MATCH...

In 1986 West Ham recorded their highest ever league finish and perhaps their most memorable match from that season came in their 8-1 victory over Newcastle. Alvin Martin scored a hat-trick but it was no ordinary feat as all three goals were scored past different goalkeepers.

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm