West Ham will continue their increasingly anxious fight against Premier League relegation when they host a Liverpool side which could feature Steven Gerrard.
Avram Grant's side have spent almost the entire season in the drop zone, but are still only eight points adrift of 10th-placed Stoke.
The fact that safety has remained tantalisingly within reach therefore provides reason for West Ham to be optimistic, but also frustrated that they have been unable to find any form of consistency.
Liverpool's season has been equally confusing as in the first half of the campaign they produced dreadfully uninspiring form for Roy Hodgson, but they have now gone eight games in all competitions without defeat under Kenny Dalglish.
That form has propelled the Anfield club into the top six and they are just eight points adrift of Tottenham, who sit in fourth place and crucially occupy the last UEFA Champions League position.
Liverpool, who defeated Sparta Prague on Thursday night to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, have refused to get carried away by talk of the top four, but there cause could be boosted by the return of captain Gerrard from his groin injury.
Injury news
The England international has missed the last three games and watched the win over Sparta from the stands, but is expected to feature at Upton Park.
There is less positive injury news for West Ham as they will again be without Matthew Upson due to an Achilles injury.
On-loan striker Robbie Keane, who spent an unhappy 18 months with Liverpool earlier in his career, will not face his former club as he remains absent with a calf strain.
German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is expected to make his Premier League debut for West Ham after overcoming injury to feature in Monday's FA Cup demolition of Burnley.
Liverpool will check on Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger, who were both forced off against Sparta, and Glen Johnson (Achilles).
Fabio Aurelio (adductor) is out and Andy Carroll (thigh) is still unlikely to make his debut, but Luis Suarez returns after being ineligible for the recent European games.
Possible starting XIs:
West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Jacobsen, Bridge, Sears, Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger, Cole, Ba.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel ,Carragher, Kelly, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez.
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