West Brom vs Sunderland Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

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Haydn Cunningham Oct 11, 2015 @ 02:50 pm

You'll forgive the neutral for seeing West Brom against Sunderland as the least attractive Premier League fixture this weekend as West Brom have just 1 point from 4 home league games whilst Sunderland have also taken 1 point from their opening 4 away league games. Bizarrely they also match goals scored as they've notched 4 times between them at home and away respectively.

Dick Advocaat decided enough was enough in their 2-2 draw with West Ham after blowing away a 2 goal lead. The Dutchman was persuaded by the passionate Black Cat fans to stay on after originally deciding at the end of last season that his objective was complete when he guided them to safety in the final few months. He was open with the media and said the current squad at his disposal 'wasn't good enough' and the club didn't back him enough financially in the summer. Allardyce was the number 1 target but he was initially extremely reluctant to go back to a club he once served as a player. He wanted reassurances over the clubs willingness to spend and improve on the current set of players and also a high bonus if he kept Sunderland in the English Premier League.

Tony Pulis is renowned for making his teams strong and compact at home as he demonstrated at Stoke City as the Brittania Stadium became one of the most hostile Premier League grounds. He hasn't quite rebuilt that hostility with the Hawthorns as they've laboured at home in the league with just a draw against Southampton to show for their efforts. West Brom even needed penalties to secure their path into the 3rd round of the Capital One Cup over Port Vale in late August. 3 defeats on the bounce has pushed them on the brink of the relegation zone and a defeat to 19th placed Sunderland is unthinkable. 

West Brom have yet to score a goal this season between the 0-30 minute period and the 61-90 minute period which Allardyce will be fully aware of in his preparations for his first game in charge. His appointment will have been a pleasing one for Sunderland fans who despite Allardyce having a stint at fierce rivals Newcastle United, they recognise his experience and ability to grind out results.

These two sides position in the league table is also matched by their positions in the injury table which is a statistic every club wants! Sunderland have just 1 notable injury as Younes Kaboul has a knee injury which Allardyce will hope the French central defender has shaken off over the international break. Jonny Evans picked up a hamstring injury in their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and is unlikely to have made a full recovery in time. Jonas Olsson is also missing in defence for Pulis and goalkeeper Ben Foster is out until April '16 with a serious knee injury.

West Brom

Stats: W-2 L-4 D-2

Recent Form - LLWDW

Sunderland

Stats: W-0 L-5 D-3

Recent Form – LLLLD

Head-to-head record:

Possible Line-ups

West Brom (4-2-3-1) – Hennessey, Kelly, Dann, Hangeland, Souare, McArthur, Cabaye, Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie, Gayle.

Sunderland (4-4-2) – Pantilimon, Jones, Coates, O'Shea, Van aan Holt, M'Vila, Cattermole, Lens, Larsson, Defoe, Fletcher

Injury List/Suspended Players

West Brom – Morrison (inj), Evans (inj), Olsson (inj), Foster (inj).
Sunderland – Kaboul (inj).

League Positions