Sunderland vs West Brom: Preview & Prediction

Rock-bottom Sunderland, without a Premier League victory to their name this season, host West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

In what is seemingly an annual occurrence, the Black Cats find themselves rooted to the foot of the top-flight standings after collecting just the solitary point from their first six fixtures.

The pressure remains on manager David Moyes, the man appointed as Sam Allardyce’s successor in the summer, as his strugglers let slip a two-goal lead against Crystal Palace to come away empty handed last week.

Jermain Defoe netted in either half at the Stadium of Light, but Palace roared back through Joe Ledley and James McArthur, before Christian Benteke won it in stoppage time with a powerful header.

West Brom travel up to the North-East having turned a corner in recent weeks, despite Tony Pulis’ future in charge of the Baggies being speculated after the Black Country outfit were recently taken over by a Chinese consortium.

Albion, unbeaten in two games, who now reside in 10th in the table following a mini-revival of late, picked up a point in the last minute at Stoke City last weekend.

Joe Allen bundled Stoke into a 73rd minute lead, though Salomon Rondon preserved a share of the spoils, glancing in a header in stoppage time at the Bet365 Stadium.

Sunderland and West Brom last played each other in April, which concluded in a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light.

Baggies striker, Rondon – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

Sunderland’s Victor Anichebe and Fabio Borini are both out with long-term injuries, while goalkeeper Vito Mannone is recovering from strained elbow ligaments that will keep him off the pitch for a further two months.

Sebastian Larsson has torn his knee ligaments and will not feature in Red and White stripes until February, 2017.

Winger Adnan Januzaj has also been ruled out for six-weeks with an ankle injury.

West Brom, however, have no injury issues.

League Positions: Sunderland – 20th (1pt); West Brom – 10th (8pts)
Last Meeting: Sunderland 0-0 West Brom – (April 2, 2016)
League Form: Sunderland – LLDLLL; West Brom – WLDLWD
Key Men: Sunderland – Jermain Defoe; West Brom – Salomon Rondon
Shoot Says: Sunderland 0-1 West Bromwich Albion