In brief
West Ham United travel to the North East to play relegation-threatened Newcastle United in the final game of the 2014/15 season.John Carver’s side have their fate in their hands, knowing that a win on Sunday will secure their Premier League status. So long as Hull City don’t beat Manchester United at the KC Stadium, the Magpies will be safe whatever the result.
As for the Hammers, despite slipping to eleventh following Romelu Lukaku’s last minute winner for Everton, they still have a chance of finishing in the top ten. Sam Allardyce, on his return to his former employers, will need a win and hope other results go his way to give his side any chance.
Should the Irons win it would take them to a respectable 50 points, their highest total since returning to the top flight.
Another aspect for the travelling Hammers is the matter of qualification to the Europa League via the Fair Play League. West Ham, currently in pole position, will want to maintain their clean disciplinary record to ensure Euopean football returns to east London.
Who are they?
Newcastle United have a reputation as one of the biggest clubs in English football. Created in 1881 when local sides Stanley and Rosewood merged together, their first taste of glory came in 1898 when they won promotion to the First Division.They have been crowned First Division champions four times, way back in 1904/05, 1906/07, 1908/09 and 1926/27. Further glory has come in the form of the FA Cup which they have won six times, most recently in 1955.
More recently, the Magpies have come close to ending their barren run, finishing second in 1996 and 1997 as well as being FA Cup runners up in 1998 and 1999.
Team news
Newcastle UnitedNewcastle’s slide down the table has not been helped by a lengthy injury list.
Adam Armstrong and Siem De Jong (both hip) could make a return to action tomorrow, however Carver will be without Rob Elliot (thigh), Jak Alnwick (wrist), Massadio Haidara and Cheik Tiote (both knee).
Steven Taylor (calf) is a long-term absentee, who isn’t expected back before October.
West Ham United
The Hammers will be without James Collins (calf) who came off early against Everton, however they are boosted by the return to fitness of James Tomkins. Sam Allardyce will have to choose between in-from Reece Burke or Tomkins to partner Winston Reid at the heart of defence.
The Hammers are still without Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll and Doneil Henry who will all hopefully be back in action in time for the start of next season.
Referee
Sunday’s referee is West Riding registered Martin Atkinson. The highly rated official has been a Premier League referee since 2005, AND in a decade in the top flight he has taken charge of 264 matches, dishing out 892 yellow and 51 red cards.Atkinson’s exploits as one of the best referees in the game has been recognised by taking charge of six Champions League games this season, most recently the semi-final first leg between Juventus and Real Madrid. In 45 games in 2014/15, he has given out a total of 174 yellow cards and ten reds.
West Ham have a superb record when Atkinson is in charge. This term they are unbeaten in four games. Among them were the famous 2-1 win over Manchester City as well as the 2-0 and 3-0 wins over Leicester City and Hull City.
Sunday’s assistant referees are Mike Mullarkey and Stephen Child, Kevin Friend is the Fourth Official.
One to watch
Newcastle UnitedSpanish striker Ayoze Perez has impressed in his first year in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in total, and after a relatively dry spell – he scored his first goal of 2015 on 25 April against Swansea City, he has now scored twice in the last four games.
The former Tenerife player will want to cap off a promising season with a goal at home. Should he score the winner on Sunday he’ll become an instant hero for Newcastle fans.
West Ham United
Kevin Nolan could feature after missing the Everton game. The Hammers’ captain is a very popular figure on Tyneside having helped them back into the Premier League.
The experienced midfielder is just one goal shy of his 100th league strike.
Tickets
Tickets for this match have SOLD OUT.Travel
For directions on how to get to the stadium, click here.For all the information you need regarding train times, click here for National RaiL website.
Weather
Sunday is set to be a cloudy day with sunny intervals. Temperature at kick off is forecast to be a 13C (55F). It should be dry throughout the day, making the long journey slightly easier.Last meeting
Newcastle United 0-0 West Ham UnitedBarclays Premier League
24 August 2013
The last time the two sides played each other at St. James Park was near the beginning of the 2013/14 season.
In a drab game, neither side created much – the Hammers mustered up the single shot on target but it came to nothing.
Newcastle United: Krul, Coloccini, Santon, Yanga-Mbiwa, Debuchy, Sissoko, Anita, Ben Arfa, Marveaux (Ameobi 66), Cisse (Gouffran 72), Ameobi
Subs not used: Elliot, Dummett, Gosling, Bigirimana, Vuckic
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O’Brien, Collins, Demel, Nolan, Jarvis, Noble, Diame (Morrison 75), Downing (J Cole 64), Maiga
Subs not used: Adrian, Tomkins, Rat, Diarra, Vaz Te