Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Reading
26 December 2007
Kick-off: 1pm
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
WHUTV - Live audio commentary, plus the views of Alan Curbishley and Dean Ashton. Full match highlights from Middlesbrough also available.
Team news
Alan Curbishley can welcome back Carlton Cole after suspension while he will hope George McCartney and Matthew Upson are feeling no ill-effects after Saturday's tremendous 2-1 win at Middlesbrough. Both defenders had late fitness tests to play, with James Collins (groin), Danny Gabbidon (groin) and Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) all missing out. Jonathan Spector excelled alongside Upson at the weekend and could keep his place.
Further forward, Mark Noble will again be pushing for a midfield start - although Middlesbrough match-winner Scott Parker, with his first strike in claret and blue, impressed again alongside Hayden Mullins. In attack, Dean Ashton's second goal in as many away games should see him retain a starting berth with Henri Camara possibly vying with Cole for the other attacking role.
Reading were also 2-1 winners at the weekend and also had a last-gasp hero, with Stephen Hunt scoring at the death against Sunderland. Reading have few injury concerns with Brynjar Gunnarsson shaking off knee concerns. Only Glen Little (heel) and John Oster (ankle) are not in contention while Michael Duberry is fit again after a rib complaint. There is real competition in attack as Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle continue to lead the line ahead of Shane Long and Leroy Lita.
Background
Victory on Boxing Day could move the Hammers up to ninth in the table and within striking distance of the top six. The club have still not lost in all eight league games this season where they have scored first but have yet to replicate their strong away form - where 16 of their 25 points have been amassed this season - at the Boleyn Ground. That said only Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton have won in east London - with all three residing in the top six.
Having done the double over Middlesbrough, the Hammers can do the same against Reading - after a 3-0 victory at the Madejski Stadium on 1 September 2007. The goals were scored by Craig Bellamy in the sixth minute, before Matthew Etherington scored twice in the 49th and 90th minutes.
The lineups were:
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey, Fae (Kitson 61 ), Harper, Gunnarsson (Cisse 69 ), Hunt, Lita (Convey 75 ), Doyle
Subs not used: Federici, Bikey,
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Bowyer (Spector 81), Noble, Mullins, Etherington, Ashton (Cole 65 ), Bellamy (Boa Morte 89)
Subs not used: Wright, Gabbidon,
McCartney is bidding to make his 22th appearance this season in all competitions - and is the only West Ham United player who has featured in every game to date, starting in each one. In terms of the Premier League, only Robert Green and Upson have played every minute of the 17 matches. Ashton, with five goals, is the club's leading scorer in all competitions.
Reading, who have played a game more than their hosts, can close to within a point of with victory. They are one of six top-flight clubs who have yet to win on the road this campaign. In fact, their last five awaydays have all ended in defeat. It is also nine games since they kept a clean sheet.
Hunt, Kitson and Doyle are the visitors' leading scorers this season with five goals apiece, all of which were scored in the top flight. Only goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has played every minute of the league campaign, with James Harper, Brynjar Gunnarsson and Hunt having featured in every one of the 18 matches.
Head to head (all six previous meetings before this season)
1 January 2007: Reading 6-0 West Ham United
1 October 2006: West Ham United 0-1 Reading
12 March 2005: Reading 3-1 West Ham United
10 August 2004: West Ham United 1-0 Reading
3 April 2004: Reading 2-0 West Ham United
13 September 2003: West Ham United 1-0 Reading
All-time record v Reading: W3 D1 L4
Boxing Day's other fixtures
Birmingham City v Middlesbrough - 3pm
Chelsea v Aston Villa - 1pm
Derby County v Liverpool - 3pm
Everton v Bolton Wanderers - 3pm
Portsmouth v Arsenal - 7.45pm
Sunderland v Manchester United - 3pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham - 1pm
Wigan Athletic v Newcastle United - 3pm
Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers - 7.45pm (Thursday)
General information
Please note all tickets are SOLD OUT. For details on getting to the Boleyn Ground, click here
Weather: The forecast is for an overcast day with the rain. Temperatures are not expected to exceed 11C.