Premier League preview: Norwich City v West Ham United

13 September 2012 09:21

West Ham will look to make it three English Premier League wins from four matches when they travel to Norwich City on Saturday.

The London club have made a positive start to life in England's top flight since securing their return from the Championship via a playoff win against Blackpool.

Sam Allardyce's men opened the 2012/13 season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Upton Park before being totally outclassed against Swansea a week later.

However, following the arrival of Liverpool and England international striker Andy Carroll, the 2006 FA Cup finalists returned to winning ways in emphatic style, accounting for previously unbeaten Fulham 3-0 prior to the international break.

Carroll was inspiring in the win and drew a standing ovation from all in attendance at Upton Park but a torn hamstring is set to sideline the former Newcastle striker for up to six weeks.

Jack Collison, James Collins and Guy Demel are also doubts for the trip to Carrow Road but Allardyce is expected to be given a boost with news Matt Jarvis and George McCartney are both due to return.

Meanwhile, Norwich are still searching for their first win of the season.

Since replacing manager Paul Lambert with Chris Hughton in the off-season, Norwich have drawn two and lost one in their opening three games, which included a humiliating 5-0 loss at Fulham.

But the two-time League Cup winners faced a similar situation at the start of the 2011/12 season.

Under the guidance of Lambert, Norwich began their Premier League journey with draws against Wigan and Stoke and a defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Norwich went on to lose the next match at home to West Bromwich Albion, and history and current form suggests a similar result could be on the cards.

In good news for Hughton, Scottish international Steven Whittaker is in line to debut following his move from Rangers, while Elliot Bennett and Elliot Ward are both in contention for a return from injury.

Saturday's encounter will be the first time the two sides have met in the Premier League since 1994, a match which West Ham lost 1-0.