West Ham vs Sunderland
English Premier League.
Date: Saturday, 22nd October, 2016,
Kick-off at 15:00 UK
Venue: Olympic Stadium (London).
West Ham managed to clinch a potentially crucial result last weekend as they won 1-0 at Crystal Palace to break out of an awful run of results in the Premier League. They had lost four and drawn one of their previous five outings, with their only other points of the season coming in an edgy 1-0 win over Bournemouth. Getting another win on the board could turn their miserable season around.
They had managed to secure a 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough the weekend before, and whilst it isn’t the most impressive of results, it did at least end a run of four defeats in which they had conceded 12 goals.
Manuel Lanzini bagged his second goal of the season in last weekend’s victory, making him the club’s second highest scorer so far this season. Way out in front is the impressive Michail Antonio with five goals to his name. Two of these have come away from home, as have both of Lanzini’s. Antonio was played in a more deep lying role last weekend though, so his scoring options could prove a little more limited if he’s played there again. Lanzini, on the other hand, will always be an advanced player and has managed to bag a couple of goals despite being injured for the start of the campaign. Backing Lanzini to find the net at 5/2 looks better value than Antonio’s 6/4.
West Ham should definitely get some opportunities as well, because Sunderland are in predictably awful form. The visitors are the only side in the league without a Premier League victory to their names, and their two point tally has them firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.
They looked abject in their 2-0 defeat against the out of form Stoke last weekend, and that made it four defeats in their last five league matches. They have conceded ten goals during this period, and with both Patrick van Aanholt and Jan Kirchhoff out injured their defensive stature isn’t looking too promising.
Despite West Ham’s awful start to the season I still fancy their chances here. They will be marginally happier after their victory last weekend and they’re facing a side in all sorts of trouble. Odds of 7/10 for a West Ham win look surprisingly valuable, and I’m backing that alongside a 2-1 correct score prediction at 8/1.
West Ham vs Sunderland: Head to Head Statistics
These two teams have come a long way, they have played a total of 73 games together in the past.
West Ham have won 27 games, drew 20 games and lost 26 games to Sunderland.
At home, West Ham have won 15 games, they have drawn 12 games and lost 9 games to Sunderland.
West Ham have dominated their last 6 games against Sunderland with 3 wins and 3 draws.
West Ham vs Sunderland: Prediction
West Ham are huge favourites in this game, they are better in shape and also have been better in their recent meetings. This will be an easy one for West Ham, they will hope to continue their recent dominance over Sunderland.
Sunderland getting even a draw in this game is difficult but they will surely put in a great fight.
West Ham vs Sunderland: Tips
West Ham to win at 8/11 (1.73)
Both teams to score (No) at 11/10 (2.10).
