West Ham United vs Sunderland - preview

The Hammers have won seven and lost just one of the last 10 Premier League home games against the Black Cats.

Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce returns to his old club. He had a 31% win percentage rate compared to new boss Slaven Bilic who has won 38% of his games in charge. Bilic has the best win percentage of any West Ham manager in the Premier League era (min. 4 games).

West Ham United have conceded the highest proportion of goals in the first half of matches this season (61%).

Sunderland have won just two of their last 15 Premier League away trips (W2 D3 L10).

Dimitri Payet has scored or assisted 12 Premier League goals this season (seven goals, five assists); twice as many as any other West Ham player.

If West Ham United win this match, it will be their highest ever haul of points after 27 Premier League games beating the 42 they had earned in 2005-06.

Sunderland have allowed their opponents 158 shots on target against them this season, more than any other team in the top flight.

Sunderland have conceded the joint-most penalties in the Premier League this season along with Norwich City (7).

West Ham are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League games at the Boleyn Ground (W5 D5).

West Ham have mustered the most attempts (10) and goals (3) from throw-ins this season.

West Ham v Sunderland: Team News, Match Preview & Likely Line-Ups

Competition: Premier League Date: Saturday 27th February 2016 Venue: Upton Park Kick Off: 12:45 GMT

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Team News

West Ham remain without six injured names; Diafra Sakho, Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Joey O’Brien, Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia.

Cheikhou Kouyate’s from the FA Cup match with Blackburn has been overturned and he should return for this match. Emmanuel Emenike is expected to start after netting a brace last week.

Sunderland are without four injured men as Sebastian Larsson, Duncan Watmore, Younes Kaboul and Billy Jones.

Jeremain Lens and Jan Kirchhoff are also unlikely to feature, which means Jack Rodwell should start in midfield.

Match Preview

With just one win from their last five Premier League matches, West Ham need to pick up form once again to bolster their chances of European football. However, it’s still within their grasps and a victory tomorrow would lift them up to fifth in the table, at least temporarily.

Sunderland, fresh from their victory over Manchester United, can move out of the relegation zone with a victory. However, their away form throughout the season has been dire, as they’ve conceded at least two goals in all of their last six Premier League trips away from home.

With West Ham’s strong home record also taken into consideration, the Hammers will be favourites to secure a victory that would put pressure upon Manchester United and Southampton in their games this weekend.

Likely Line-Ups

West HamAdrian, Byram, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Song, Noble, Antonio, Emenike, Payet

SunderlandMannone, Yedlin, Kone, O’Shea, Van Aanholt, Rodwell, N’Doye, M’Vila, Cattermole, Khazri, Defoe

Key Stats

West Ham are unbeaten in their last 10 home matches in the Premier League.

Sunderland have failed to beat the Hammers in each of their last five meetings.

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