Newcastle United will look to steer clear of relegation on what could be a nervy final day of the season at home to West Ham United on Sunday. John “I’m the best coach in the Premier League” Carver has overseen an appalling winless run that stretches back to February, in which time they’ve lost all but one of their 10 matches. It has left them teetering on the brink of relegation: they’re just two points clear of Hull and the bottom three heading into the decisive round.
Newcastle United vs. West Ham United: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Can Newcastle avoid the drop?
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The good news for the Magpies is that Hull face Manchester United, so it’s unlikely the Tigers will be able to secure the win they need to put Newcastle under any real pressure. The other good news is that West Ham have nothing but 10th place to fight for, leading manager Sam Allardyce giving them the week off in the run-up to this match -- one imagines Hull wouldn’t have been too happy with that decision.
Key player - Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
With his defence often falling to pieces in front of him, it’s often goalkeeper Tim Krul that has to bail Newcastle out. Fortunately when he’s not slapping Jermain Defoe on the back, he’s pretty good at his job -- he’ll have to be on his game more than ever in what will surely be an intense contest on Sunday.
Key matchup - Ayoze Pérez vs. Aaron Cresswell
West Ham often set up quite narrow through the middle, meaning that the onus is on their full-backs to provide the width in attacking areas. Luckily summer signing Aaron Cresswell has proven to be excellent in this regard, though he'll have to be careful not to ignore his defensive duties against Newcastle's industrious attacker Ayoze Pérez, who impressed over the first half of the season.
Newcastle United injuries and suspensions
Out: Siem de Jong, Rob Elliott (thigh), Jak Alnwick (wrist), Massadio Haïdara, Cheick Tioté (knee), Steven Taylor (achilles). In doubt: Adam Armstrong (thigh).
West Ham United injuries and suspensions
Out: James Collins (muscle), Guy Demel (calf), Diafra Sakho (thigh), James Tomkins (shoulder), Andy Carroll (knee). In doubt: None.
Both of these sides still have a few important first teamers unavailable. For Newcastle the big absentees are forward Siem de Jong, midfielder Cheick Tioté and defender Steven Taylor, while the Hammers are without one half of their centre-back pairing in James Tomkins, as well as star striker Diafra Sakho.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: St. James’ Park, Newcastle, England
TV: USA Network (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. - English), NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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