It is a little over seven years since Newcastle sacked Sam Allardyce. Now, on what seems virtually certain to be his final game in charge of the visitors, he can possibly help push his old club into the Championship. If John Carver has been heartened to learn that West Ham’s players were all given most of this week off, his team’s recent record of does not inspire confidence. After collecting a solitary point from their past 10 games Newcastle really are in crisis. Louise Taylor
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season West Ham 0 Newcastle 0
Live Sky Sports 3
Referee M Atkinson
This season G31, Y124, R7, 4.2 cards per game
Odds H 4-5 A 15-4 D 31-10
Newcastle United
Subs from Woodman, R Taylor, Anita, Gutiérrez, Aarons, De Jong, Gouffran, Ameobi, Obertan, Satka, Rivière
Doubtful De Jong (thigh)
Injured Elliot (thigh), Haïdara (knee), S Taylor (achilles), Tioté (knee, all Aug)
Suspended None
Form LLLLDL
Discipline Y70 R7
Leading scorer Cissé 11
West Ham United
Subs from Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, Lee, O’Brien, Tomkins, Oxford, Amalfitano, Cullen, Poyet, Nolan, Jarvis
Doubtful Tomkins (shoulder)
Injured Carroll (knee), Collins (hamstring), Demel (calf), Sakho (thigh, all Aug)
Suspended None
Form DLDWLL
Discipline Y66 R2
Leading scorer Sakho 10
