1. West Ham United - Home (May 24th)
Whenever Sam Allardyce returns to Tyneside he tends to get a negative reception to say the least - but this time it is likely that attention will be focused on Mike Ashley and not on Newcastle's former boss. The supporters' rebellion does not appear likely to dissipate within a month - regardless of results in the meantime - and so Allardyce may be spared the vitriol. In terms of the match itself, West Ham United's season has unravelled in recent weeks and the hopes of a top-four finish in January have disappeared - as the goals have dried up. Andy Carroll's persistent injury problems have once again affected the Hammers, as has the loss of form of Diafro Sakho and Enner Valencia. Yet, with the pace they have with the likes of Valencia and Aaron Cresswell at full-back, Newcastle must be wary of the opposition's threat. From a Magpies point of view this game will be a cagey affair - they will probably be two or three points ahead of third bottom, but still not mathematically safe, and it is likely John Carver will look to secure a draw first and foremost. If Cissé and De Jong have found some sort of form then Newcastle may nick a win, but due to the lack of invention in the side, a draw may be more realistic.
Verdict: Goalless draw - 0-0. This could be Big Sam's last game in charge of West Ham - and John Carver's final match at the helm at NUFC. History tells us that both will likely revert to type and be cautious from the start. The Magpies will be cagey as they are unlikely to be mathematically safe, and will be content with a draw, while West Ham's form has evaporated in recent weeks. The St James' Park faithful will have to endure another miserable display of football devoid of anything even close to resembling excitement.
