The Hammers yet again find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle after last season's struggle to stay up, although before the campaign kicked off they wold have loved to be placed one position below Liverpool. Sadly that still means they are bottom of the Premier League.Having said that, Grant's side are on their best run without defeat for 18 months - unbeaten in their last four Premier League games, their longest sequence without loss for since April 2009.
Home form remains a problem though, with eight goals conceded and just six scored in the last six games, with the Hammers not hitting more than one a game at Upton Park.
One For Sorrow
The Magpies aren't faring much better, sitting four places and just two points above the hosts, and have not tasted victory since their impressive League Cup win at Stamford Bridge in September.Most of the attention has been off the pitch at St James' Park, with the furour surrounding Hatem Ben Arfa's leg break and then star striker Andy Carroll having to pitch up with captain Kevin Nolan as part of his bail conditions after being arrested for assault.
Expect goals on Saturday as while West Ham have conceded more at home than they have scored, so have Chris Hughton's Newcastle, knocking in 10 but seeing 11 go the other way.
TEAM NEWS
West Ham United
Defender Manuel da Costa is available to face Newcastle despite being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault on Thursday.The 24-year-old was bailed pending further inquiries after an alleged attack at a night club in Ilford.
Meanwhile, Hammers boss Avram Grant has Matthew Upson pushing for a recall, after he missed the 1-1 draw at Wolves with a neck strain, but Jack Collison and Thomas Hitzlsperger are long-term absentees.
Probable starting XI: Green; Jacobsen, Ben-Haim, Upson, Gabbidon; Dyer, Parker, Noble; Obinna, Piquionne, Boa Morte.
Newcastle United
Hatem Ben Arfa is still missing with a broken leg sustained at Manchester City and will be for some time.Meanwhile manager Chris Hughton also has Steve Harper (broken collar bone), Dan Gosling (cruciate knee ligaments), Danny Simpson (ankle) and Steven Taylor (shoulder) all unavailable.
Captain Kevin Nolan missed the draw with Wigan last week but could be in line for a recall.
Probable starting XI: Krul; Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez; Nolan, Carroll.
Prediction
Both teams will be desperate for three points but may have to settle for one in what could prove a high scoring encounter. The Hammers ave only kept one clean league sheet all season while Newcastle have been involved in home goals fests. Expect action at both ends.
West Ham 2-2 Newcastle 
