Preview - West Bromwich Albion

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Where and when?

West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United
Premier League
The Hawthorns
Saturday 17 September 2016, 3pm BST

What’s the story? 

West Ham United will look to get the start to their 2016/17 Premier League season back on track when they travel to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
 
Having tasted defeat in three of their opening four games, Slaven Bilic’s side will be hoping for a quick turnaround against the Baggies – who sit 12th in the table after taking four points so far.
 
Their points came from a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on the opening day and a 0-0 home draw against Middlesbrough in their final game before the international break.
 
Everton and Bournemouth have both claimed maximum points against the Baggies this term, while they exited the EFL Cup on penalties to League One side Northampton Town after a 2-2 draw.
 
Off the pitch, a takeover was this week completed, with Chinese businessman Guochuan Lai taking the reins from Jeremy Peace.
 
West Ham, meanwhile, suffered the shock of losing a two-goal lead en route to defeat against Watford last time out, while their away games to date have returned losses at Chelsea and Manchester City.

Team news 

Mark Noble suffered a hand injury in last weekend’s game against Watford, and required eight stitches in a wound, but has trained this week wearing a protective brace and will be fit to play.
 
Elsewhere, Aaron Cresswell and Andre Ayew are making good progress in their rehabilitation from knee and thigh injuries but remain sidelined, while Andy Carroll is also out with a knee problem.
 
Alvaro Arbeloa is getting up to speed following his arrival on deadline day, and looks set to make his Hammers bow in Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie against Accrington Stanley.

For the Baggies, deadline day arrival Hal Robson-Kanu could be involved for the first time, while midfielder James Morrison is close to a return following his hamstring injury. However, this match might come around too soon.
 
Read all the latest injury news in our From the Treatment Room update

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Any links between the two?

No current Hammer or Baggie has turned out for the other club, although West Brom’s Hal Robson-Kanu is a Wales teammate of James Collins, and James McClean travelled to Euro 2016 with Ireland – as did West Ham’s Darren Randolph.
 
Last season, the Hammers enjoyed an awayday to remember at The Hawthorns as a Mark Noble double, added to Cheikhou Kouyate’s opener, secured a 3-0 victory.
 
At the Boleyn Ground, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw. Mauro Zarate’s free-kick gave the Hammers an early lead, but the unfortunate Winston Reid scored a second half own goal to level the scores.

How do I get to the game?

Click here for directions to the Hawthorns. You can find the latest news on the roads here, and the trains here.

How can I watch the game?

The match will not be broadcast live in the UK, but supporters can follow all the action as it happens on whufc.com and across our social channels.
 
Supporters outside the UK may be able to watch the match live, depending on their location. Click here for full broadcast schedules.