Premier League preview and odds: West Ham United vs Sunderland

Premier League preview and odds: West Ham United vs Sunderland

October 22, 2016 15:00pm - Olympic Stadium

Premier League

Lowly West Ham United can extend their unbeaten run to three game with a win over the Premier league`s bottom-placed club Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.

Hammers keen to avert crisis

After enjoying one of their best seasons in years last term, West Ham United have yet to find their stride this season. A run of five defeats in six games left them languishing in the relegation zone amid talk of a crisis. Since then, the Hammers have recovered slightly, bagging a draw at home to Middlesbrough before securing a vital win away to Crystal Palace last time out.

That win lifted the club out of the bottom three and up to 15th in the table. And while there is still cause for concern, the crisis talk seems to have been quashed for the time being at least. The Londoners will look to build on their momentum by beating the only team in the league yet to win a match.

With just eight games played, Sunderland fans are already bracing themselves for another relegation battle. New boss David Moyes has failed to make an impact so far and the club are a point worse off than at the same time last season. In fact, it was at this stage last season that Dutchman Dick Advocaat left the club with just three points on the board.

While there has been little suggestion yet that David Moyes` job is under threat, the pressure will soon start to mount if positive results are not forthcoming.

The Black Cats failed to score in their last two away games and come into this game on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to fellow strugglers Stoke City. In Moyes` defence, his side have been plagued by injuries since the start of the campaign.

Team news

West Ham have had also a tough time with injuries this term and that trend continues with Darren Randolph (knne), Gokhan Tore (thigh), Sam Byram (hamstring), Arthur Masuaku (knee), Andy Carroll (knee), Andre Ayew (thigh) and Diafra Sakho (back) all still crocked.

Meanwhile, the Sunderland sick list is still the biggest in the division with Patrick van Aanholt (groin), Jan Kirchoff (hamstring), Lee Cattermole (back), Adnan Januzaj (ankle), Fabio Borini (groin), Vito Mannone (elbow) and Seb Larsson all out of action, while Lamine Kone is a slight doubt.

Recent form (League)

West Ham United: DLLWW

Sunderland: LDLLL

Betting odds and tips

West Ham have shown signs of improvement and have a great chance to secure their second-straight win this weekend.

Sunderland failed to score in their last two away games and seem to be regressing under David Moyes.

You can back the Hammers to win to nil at 15/8 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365

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20/10/2016     © Frixo 2024