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West Ham V West Bromwich Albion
TEAM NEWS
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has confirmed either Pedro Obiang or Alex Song will start against West Brom in place of suspended captain Mark Noble.Obiang has been out for a month with a thigh injury, while fit-again Song made his first appearance of the season as a substitute last weekend.
Chris Brunt must serve a suspension for West Brom but Gareth McAuley is available after a ban.
Head coach Tony Pulis admits he has several players nursing injuries.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
John Roder: "On New Year's Day,Tony Pulis was at Upton Park ahead of his appointment as West Bromwich Albion's head coach."The Baggies were in trouble and had turned to the man who has never been relegated in his managerial career to keep them in the Premier League.
"Almost 11 months on, West Brom travel to London on the back of victory over Arsenal, but Slaven Bilic has given West Ham a fresh perspective and they come into this match unbeaten in their last four at home.
"Back on 1 January it was a 1-1 draw; don't be surprised if it ends the same way this weekend."
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "The players, like the whole staff, were hugely disappointed after the game on Sunday and angry with the way we played [against Tottenham]."In the last three games we have got only one point and that is not what we want. We have a home game now and our plan is to try to win.
"We will do everything we can to bounce back on Sunday."
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis compares the club to Crystal Palace, who he managed previously: "They are clubs who have potential to be top 10 and better Premier League clubs, and ones which can win cup competitions.
"That's what you have to strive for but you need time.
"There's a big job on at this football club. I haven't been in the job a year yet. There are things which can be changed and improved but that doesn't happen for a period of time.
"You have to win games to have a chance and opportunity to change things."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head- This is the 100th meeting between the clubs in all competitions. West Brom have registered 39 wins, one more than West Ham.
- The Hammers have gone six home matches without defeat in this fixture since a 4-3 loss in the second tier in November 2003. Albion also won at Upton Park in the Premier League the previous year.
- Six of the last nine Premier League meetings have been drawn.
West Ham
- The Hammers are winless in three matches (D1, L2), their worst run under Slaven Bilic.
- They have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight league games, conceding 14 goals. It's the longest current such streak in the division.
- West Ham have won just five of their last 16 Premier League games at home (W5, D5, L6).
- Bilic's side have scored in all but one game this season, a record only bettered by Leicester.
West Bromwich Albion
- Albion's five wins this season have all come by the odd goal.
- West Brom's first-half record is only bettered by Manchester United. The Baggies have been ahead in five games at half-time and behind in only two.
- Four of their six clean sheets have come away - only Manchester City (5) have more.
- Saido Berahino has scored in four of his five appearances against West Ham in all competitions.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
West Ham were taken apart by Spurs, and were very poor.
However, the Hammers might chuck Andy Carroll up front because they are at home on Sunday,
and I think they will pose much more of a threat this time.
