West Ham continue their battle for Premier League survival against Sunderland at the London Stadium.
Victory would move the third-bottom Hammers to within two points of safety, whilst Sunderland can climb to fifth with a win – although a win by five goals or more would put them up to fourth for at least a few hours.
Team News
El Hadji Malick Diouf is set to feature for West Ham following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Lucas Paqueta and Lukasz Fabianski remain ruled out with back injuries.
Sunderland could welcome Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi back into contention following their return from international duty at Africa Cup of Nations.
Bertrand Traore (knee) and Arthur Masuaku (ankle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
West Ham host Sunderland at London Stadium on Saturday 24 January at 12:30pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- West Ham have lost one of their last nine meetings against Sunderland (W4, D4, L1).
- Sunderland lost their only previous visit to West Ham’s current home – London Stadium (L1), which saw them lose 1-0 in October 2016.
- West Ham haven’t conceded in any of their last four home games against Sunderland (W3, D1), which included 1-0 victories in each of their last three home clashes against the Black Cats.
- No West Ham player has been involved in more league goals this season than Jarrod Bowen (7), with the forward having produced six goals and one assist in 22 appearances.
- Sunderland have won one of their five league trips to London-based opposition this season (W1, D2, L2).
Prediction
Now within five points of safety, West Ham need to continue the same quality that they displayed at Tottenham and keep building confidence off the back of their best result of the season, as this is a good chance to put the pressure onto Nottingham Forest in the race for survival.
Sunderland meanwhile did a solid job of weathering Palace’s first-half pressure with some good goalkeeping from Robin Roefs, before they showed their unity and composure to step it up once behind but they now need to bring their intensity and try to get the opener if want to find another win.
West Ham though haven’t exactly been Sunderland’s happiest hunting ground in their recent trips to East London but given how inconsistent the Hammers can be, the first goal could be crucial but I do think that the Black Cats can grind something out of this trip.
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Sunderland
Result: West Ham 3-1 Sunderland
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