In seasons gone by, Newcastle United have been known to battle for one of the Champions League places, while West Ham United scrapped against relegation.

However, when the two sides meet at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon, those roles have been reversed.

Newcastle

Winless in their last six outings in all competitions and second from bottom in the Premier League, you could forgive any Newcastle supporter for feeling rather downbeat.

Of course, football is ultimately a results business and unless the Magpies can start putting some points on the board soon, relegation to the Championship will become more and more inevitable with each passing week.

However, if you were to analyse Newcastle's recent performances - coupled with their business in the transfer market - there is reason to be optimistic, despite their current precarious position.

After four consecutive 1-0 defeats, Steve McClaren's men played out one of the games of the season with Manchester United on Tuesday evening. They trailed 2-0 and 3-2 to the visiting Red Devils, but showed great character to snatch a 3-3 draw thanks to Paul Dummett's 90th-minute strike.

While conceding three goals is never a good thing, the fact that his side were able to end a goal drought that stretched back to December 19 is bound to have pleased McClaren. Not only that, he witnessed his team score more than two goals in one Premier League match for just the second time this campaign.

Ahead of the six-goal thriller with United, new signings Henri Saivet and Jonjo Shelvey were introduced to the supporters. An estimated £17m has been spent on the duo and it is a sign, if nothing else, that Newcastle are prepared to fight for their Premier League status.

Recent form: WDLLLD
Recent form (all competitions): DLLLLD

West Ham

With a move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford on the horizon, the main objective for West Ham this term was to ensure that they will begin life next season as a Premier League club.

Yet, it would seem that upon his arrival as manager in the summer, Slaven Bilic had much loftier aspirations for his side.

If their current form continues, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the Hammers will be welcoming the great and the good of European football to their new home.

After all, Tuesday night's 3-1 win away at Bournemouth has left Bilic's charges in fifth position, just one point adrift of rivals Tottenham Hotspur in fourth.

The victory down on the South Coast was particularly memorable for the performance of playmaker Dimitri Payet, who made his first start since early November because of a knee complaint. The 28-year-old scored a free kick and also assisted one of Enner Valencia's two goals.

Speaking after the final whistle, Bilic said of the France international: "It's scary how good he is. He's a top player. He's a player who makes all the others better. It's all about the team, but he's the player who is the most decisive for us."

Recent form: DDDWWW
Recent form (all competitions): DDWWWW

Team News

The injury curse has struck again for Andy Carroll. Having limped off early on against Bournemouth with a hamstring problem, the striker has since been ruled out for a month.

As a result, it is expected that Valencia will lead the West Ham attack on Tyneside.

There is more positive news where Victor Moses and Cheikhou Kouyate are concerned, though, with both tipped to return from injuries to feature in the squad.

As for the home side, it looks highly likely that both Shelvey and Saivet will be handed their Newcastle debuts, with Cheick Tiote and Ayoze Perez the candidates to drop out.

Meanwhile, a groin problem has sidelined Papiss Cisse, with Vurnon Anita also ruled out because of a hamstring complaint.

Newcastle possible starting lineup:
Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Colback, Shelvey, Wijnaldum, Saivet; Mitrovic

West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Ogbonna, Tomkins, Collins, Cresswell; Obiang, Noble, Kouyate, Payet, Moses; Valencia

Head To Head

Overall, Newcastle have triumphed in this fixture 51 times, which is 11 more victories than West Ham have recorded.

However, from their last three trips to St James' Park, the Hammers have lost just once.

When the two teams clashed earlier in the campaign at Upton Park, Payet scored both goals as the hosting Londoners ran out 2-0 winners.

We say: Newcastle 1-1 West Ham

West Ham have the third-best away record in the Premier League, but Newcastle's recent upturn in performances should not be disregarded. The wait for a win may well continue, but another credible draw is not beyond McClaren's team.