West Ham United-Newcastle United Preview

There have been many storied moments in the vast 122-year history of Newcastle United.

A loss at St James' Park to West Ham United on Sunday could potentially add another chapter, but for all the wrong reasons as the Magpies try to avoid what would be an epic late-season collapse to stay in the top flight.

It has been a wild roller coaster ride for the Tyne side, which started off miserably and were 18th on four points after the first seven matches. A five-game win streak rocketed Newcastle (9-9-19) up the table to fifth by late November, and even as late as Feb. 28, everything seemed OK after a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa put them on 35 points through 27 matches and in 11th place.

Since then, however, the Toons have been in a staggering free fall, claiming just one point in their last 10 matches to plummet to 17th in the table on 36 points - two ahead of Hull City, who cap their season at home against Manchester United on Sunday. A win ensures the Magpies' safety for next season, while a draw or loss would leave them sweating out the result at KC Stadium, where a Tigers victory in such a scenario would condemn Newcastle to the Championship and a summer full of unrest with a fan base reportedly set to have a post-game sit-in to protest owner Mike Ashley's spendthrift ways despite turning a profit.

The only team in the Premier League era to be on 35 points through 27 matches and be relegated was the 1994-95 Norwich City side, who were dropped despite finishing with 43 points in 42 games.

Newcastle put themselves in this position with a 2-1 loss at Queens Park Rangers on May 16, squandering a halftime lead by giving up goals to Matt Phillips and Leroy Fer in a seven-minute span of the second half. Manager John Carver, either defiantly upbeat or wildly delusional considering he has two wins in 18 matches since Alan Pardew departed for Crystal Palace mid-season, remains convinced his team will show its mettle at this desperately needed juncture - both for this season and perhaps the future of the franchise.

"I have enough players in that room who realise how much this game means," he insisted. "We talk about how it's the biggest game in six years at this club, and let's be honest, it is. I'm expecting the big players to step up and perform and put in a performance that's worthy of keeping this team in the Premier League."

Hammers (12-11-14) have been in a mid-table limbo for most of the second half of the season after their quick start to the campaign, but a victory would give West Ham their first 50-point season in the top flight since a ninth-place finish on 51 points in 2008-09.

Sam Allardyce's team have dropped back-to-back contests, including a 2-1 home setback to Everton on May 16, dropping Hammers to 1-2-4 in their last seven matches. The slog to the finish has further stoked speculation over Allardyce's status for next season, though West Ham could be in line for a Europa League spot based on Fair Play.

The recent run of poor form has taken its toll on "Big Sam," who has seen the same scenario play out multiple times.

"We've come crashing down and realised the level we are playing at and the mistakes you can't make because they will be punished," he told West Ham's official website. "... they realised the tough end of the Premier League by how many times they have been punished for losing their shape and losing their concentration, not protecting what they've got."

Hammers were 1-0 winners in the reverse fixture on a goal by Aaron Cresswell in the 56th minute. Moussa Sissoko was sent off for a double booking within a minute as the 10-man Magpies were unable to find an equaliser.