Big Sam, Carroll and Nolan set for unhappy reunion with Newcastle

Two teams next to each other in the Premier League take each other on at Upton Park, as fifth place Newcastle United travel to east London to play West Ham United, who are just one point off the Magpies. Coral make the visitors 5/2 to secure what would be their third win in four trips.

Last time out at the Hammers, Newcastle recorded a 3-1 victory, and are currently in pursuit of their seventh straight win in all competitions, and are looking to extend their unbeaten streak to eight matches.

Summer signing Ayoze Perez, who cost just £1.5m from Tenerife, has hit form and has netted in both of the previous two away league games for Alan Pardew. The Spanish striker is 7/4 to dispatch anytime, and 6/1 to score first, while Moussa Sissoko has two in four fixtures in all competitions, and is an excellent 11/4 to be on target here.

For West Ham, though, striker Diafra Sakho has not scored since his return from injury; however, is still 5/1 to grab the opener after three games without a goal. Striker Carlton Cole, could well be the Hammers’ lucky charm, having netted four in his eight against the Magpies for West Ham, and is 5/1 to break the deadlock.

Hammers club captain Kevin Nolan has scored both for and against Newcastle in this fixture before, and is 11/4 in the anytime market for the hosts. It is actually a reunion for the skipper and Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, both of who played and managed the north east club respectively. Target man Andy Carroll also played for the Magpies, and is 5/1 to open the scoring.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew recently revealed his admiration for Carroll as a player, though admits a January reunion is unlikely.

“I’m not going to hide from the fact that I like Andy,” said Pardew, whose resurgent side must cope with a newly fit Carroll when they visit Upton Park. “I think he’s a terrific striker.

“I think Andy would want to come back to Newcastle in the future and I hope he does return to hishome town. He’s got that love here – and I really enjoyed working with him.”