Sunderland vs West Ham Prediction and Preview – 03/10/15
Premier League preview – Sunderland vs West Ham prediction
Sunderland remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League after their defeat against Manchester United last week and having taken just two points from the opening seven games of the season. Dick Advocaat’s first game in charge of Sunderland was against the Hammers s in March, where they succumbed to a 1-0 loss. The Dutchman has taken just 14 points from 16 games altogether since he has taken the reign. The Black Cats – along with rivals Newcastle – are the only team yet to secure a league win in the top four tiers of English football this season. Giaccherini, Matthews and Vergini are all out with injuries while Jack Rodwell remains doubtful.
West Ham on the other hand have not lost in their last four and had won three in a row before their draw with Norwich last Saturday. They have won every away game they have had so far this season and will be looking to continue their run on the weekend against what looks to be a very poor Sunderland team lacking in confidence. The Hammers decision to move on from Sam Allardyce has been inspired so far with West Ham sitting 3rd in the Premiership between Manchester City and Arsenal and Bilic is fast becoming a fans favourite at the club where he spent a season during his playing days. Hammers fans will want to see this continue with some nice football and plenty of goal attempts to ensure their great away record continues. West Ham will be without injured players Burke, O’Brien, Ogbonna, Poyet, Song, Valencia with Carrol and Reid both doubts.
Possible Line-Ups
Sunderland – 4-2-3-1 Pantilimon, Jones, O’Shea, Kaboul, Van Aanholt, Cattermole, M’Vila, Lens, Toivonen, Borini, Fletcher
West Ham – 4-2-3-1 Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Reid (if available), Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Payet, Moses, Sakho
Statistics
West Ham have won 15 of the 32 meetings between the teams, with Sunderland last taking all three points in a three nil win at the Boelyn in May 2011.
So far this season, Sunderland have conceded an average of 2.3 goals per game – add that to West Ham’s record of scoring an average of 1.8 goals per game and the Sunderland goalkeeper will be having another busy day on Saturday.
West Ham have scored in all of their last ten games in all competitions whereas the Black Cats have failed to score three times – showing a lack of confidence.
Sunderland have not kept a single clean sheet in their last ten competitive matches.
Predictions
I cannot see anything other than an away win in this one. West Ham are flying this season and, playing so well away from home, will be absolutely relishing the long trip to the North East on the weekend. The whole team is capable of scoring and they are enjoying playing as a unit and sharing the spoils.
West Ham old boy Jermaine Defoe will be hopeful of coming off the bench and grabbing himself a goal against his former club but I fear that even if he does, it will possibly be too late to be anything but a consolation goal. To summarise, the Hammers are in great form and I fully expect them to travel back to East London with the three points firmly in the bag come Saturday evening.
Tips
West Ham to win – 13/10 with Bet 365
Jermaine Defoe to score last – 6/1 with Bet 365
Sunderland to be winning at Half Time, West Ham to win the game – 28/1 with Bet 365
What are your predictions?
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