Preview - West Bromwich Albion

WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
THE HAWTHORNS
TUESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 8PM
REFEREE: MIKE JONES

In brief

West Ham United travel to the Black Country to face West Bromwich Albion as the Hammers look to build on their 1-0 win over Newcastle United from Saturday.

The Baggies, who sit in 15th in the Premier League table on 13 points, are looking to end a run of three straight defeats following Saturday's 1-0 loss to Arsenal.

Sam Allardyce's men are ten places higher, sitting in fifth with 21 points. The victory over Newcastle was the Hammers' sixth of the season, while they also picked up their third clean sheet.

Related stories

Big Sam on: West Bromwich Albion
Betting Preview

Who are they?

West Bromwich Albion were formed in 1878 out of workers from Salter's Spring Works in West Bromwich.

They recorded their biggest ever win over Coseley in 1882, winning an impressive 26-0 and going on to win the Staffordshire Senior Cup, their first trophy, the next season.

West Brom were one of twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888. That same year they won the FA Cup for the first time.

The Baggies won their one and only Division One title in 1919/20. Other honours include winning the FA Cup a total of five times, most recently in 1967/68, as well as a League Cup title in 1965/66.

More recently, they have established themselves as a Premier League club after being promoted back to the top flight in 2010.

Team news

West Ham United

Enner Valencia is back in the squad after returning to training on Monday. The striker has been in good form so far this season. His return gives Allardyce options up front with Andy Carroll completing his second consecutive 90 minutes of the season with Mauro Zarate and Carlton Cole also available.

Diafra Sakho and Alex Song are still out, but Winston Reid returns following a suspension.

West Bromwich Albion

James Morrison could return on Tuesday evening after missing the Arsenal game through illness. Sebastien Pocognoli is also unlikely to feature after picking up a knock at the weekend.

The Baggies will be without Jonas Olsson through a shin injury.

Referee

Tuesday's referee is Mike Jones. This is Jones' first West Ham assignment of the season, but last year he was in charge as the Hammers lost 3-1 away to Manchester United.

The Assistant Referees are Jake Collin and Richard West, while Roger East is the Fourth Official.

Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 8
Yellow cards shown: 22
Red cards shown: 2
Penalties awarded: 1

One to watch

West Ham United

Following a resolute performance on Saturday which saw the Hammers claim their third clean sheet of the season, will be hoping to put another solid performance in on Tuesday.

West Bromwich Albion

Explosive striker Saido Berahino has been in great form for West Brom this season having already netted eight goals.

However, Berahino has not scored in five games and will be looking to get back on the scoresheet sooner rather than later. TV coverage

<a title="" data-cke-saved-href="/Teams/player?id=40978" href="/Teams/player?id=40978" "="" target="_self">Click here for a list of broadcasters for Tuesday's game.

Tickets

Tickets are now sold out. Tickets for the Hammers' next home game with Swansea City on Sunday are available here.

Travel

For all the information of how to get to the Hawthorns, click here.

Weather

Tuesday evening is set to be a cold one as temperature at kick off is forecast to be a chilly 3C (37F) with temperatures dropping throughout the match.

Last meeting

West Bromwich Albion 1-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
26 April 2014

Saido Berahino scored the only goal of the game, as he converted current West Ham midfielder Morgan Amalfitano's cross to give Pepe Mel his first home win as West Brom manager.

Andy Carroll, among others, had several chances to equalise yet the Hammers could not find a way past Ben Foster.

West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Reid (Morrison 47), Olsson, Dawson, Jones, Brunt, Dorrans, Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Sessegnon (Anichebe 81), Berahino (Yacob 89)
Subs not used: Myhill, Lugano, Vydra, Thievy

West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, McCartney, Tomkins (Collins 33), Demel, Nolan, Jarvis (C Cole 79), Noble, Diame, Downing (J Cole 67), Carroll
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Nocerino, Vaz Te