West Ham United can secure a top-half finish in the Premier League if they can beat Everton in what will be their final game at Upton Park before moving to the Olympic Stadium.

However, the Toffees could leapfrog the Hammers with a win in the East End of London and, depending on the number of yellow and red cards shown, could move ahead of the Clarets in the race for a Europa League place.

West Ham United

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The Hammers could still finish this season with their highest league placing since 2009, but rumours continue to persist about the future of manager Sam Allardyce.

A bright start to the campaign saw the Clarets hovering around the top six in the division and in early contention for a place in the Champions League.

However, three wins in the league since New Year's Day has left West Ham in mid-table and several reports claimed that the ex-Bolton Wanderers boss would be replaced before the East End outfit make their bow at the Olympic Stadium in August.

Their form in recent weeks is little better, with only a narrow victory over already-relegated Burnley in their last five top-flight outings.

That dearth of good form could be down to their inability to score more than once in any Premier League game – the last time they netted twice or more was the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in February.

West Ham's results at Upton Park have been more promising, having lost only five of their 18 matches on home turf this season.

Recent form: LDLDWL

Everton

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While the Toffees have been unable to replicate their league campaign from last season, which saw them narrowly miss out on a Champions League place, they have improved in recent months to avoid the ignominy of a relegation battle.

After a humbling defeat away to Dynamo Kiev, which dumped the Blues out of the Europa League, some questioned the direction in which manager Roberto Martinez was taking the club.

The Spaniard has silenced the critics to a degree, becoming one of the form teams in the top flight in recent months, and Everton can still finish their Premier League campaign in the top 10.

Losses in their last two league games have derailed those ambitions somewhat, with a 3-2 reverse at Aston Villa followed by a 2-0 defeat against Sunderland at Goodison Park.

One ongoing cause for concern could be the Toffees' lack of victories on their travels. Martinez has seen his side win just four of their 18 away games this term.

Indeed, in their six outings away from Goodison, Everton have triumphed just once and have picked up four points from a possible 24 on the road.

However, their lack of bookings and red cards could help them return to the Europa League, if they finish with a better disciplinary record than their nearest rivals for that place, which happens to be West Ham.

Recent form: WDWWLL

Team News

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Alex Song made his return from injury as a substitute in last weekend's narrow defeat at Aston Villa, and the Cameroonian could be set for a recall to the starting lineup, possibly with Kevin Nolan making way.

Nene, who also came on at half time in that game, may also be in contention for a start at Upton Park, although Morgan Amalfitano is the most likely man to make way for the Brazilian.

Aaron Lennon should feature for the visitors as he cannot play against parent club Tottenham Hotspur in Everton's final game of the campaign.

That could mean that Kevin Mirallas remains among the substitutes, while Leon Osman could also drop to the bench to make way for Steven Naismith.

Luke Garbutt will almost certainly replace Leighton Baines at left-back after the England international underwent surgery on his ankle.

West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Cresswell, Collins, Burke, Jenkinson; Noble, Kouyate, Downing, Song; Nene, Valencia

Everton possible starting lineup:
Howard; Coleman, Garbutt, Stones, Jagielka; McCarthy, Barry; Lennon, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku

Head To Head

Everton will not have fond memories of their last visit to Upton Park, when they were knocked out of the FA Cup third round following a marathon penalty shootout in January.

However, prior to that Cup exit, the Blues' recent league record against West Ham is excellent, having won their last five against the Clarets, including a Baines brace in a 3-2 victory in September 2013.

The Toffees also won the reverse fixture on Merseyside after a late Osman strike earned them a 2-1 win last November.

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We say: West Ham 0-1 Everton

West Ham's lack of victories, or even goals, suggest that three points for the Clarets may prove a challenge. While Everton have largely struggled for away victories, they do arguably possess a greater threat going forward and could edge this encounter.

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