Match Preview: Sunderland AFC Vs West Ham United

We seem to have stepped off the 'Black Cat Roller Coaster' this week and instead, jumped on to the ''Managerial Merry-Go-Round' with a host of names bandied about by the media this week. Harry Redknapp is the latest name to join with Stam, Vieira, Dyche, Allardyce and Mazzarri already thrown into the mix.

But fact is we still have a Head Coach and we still have a game this weekend, as Dick Advocaat will be hoping Sunderland can kick start our season with a home win over West Ham United after yet another disastrous start to a Premier League campaign.

In contrast, West Ham have enjoyed a fruitful opening to the new season currently sitting cosy in 3rd. It's unlikely they can remain this consistent throughout the season but never the less their position is not to be sniffed at and you can be sure they'll fancy themselves for all three points on Saturday against a struggling Sunderland.

Despite our troubles a bumper crowd is expected at the Stadium of Light tomorrow which is a huge testament to the undying long suffering Sunderland faithful, who surely deserve more than the current situation. They'll be looking for the players to give 100 percent, remain focused and start fighting for the right to wear the shirt.

Match Appointments

Referee: Neil Swarbrick

Assistants: S Ledger & E Smart

Fourth Official: C Pawson

Sunderland Team News

Midfielder Jack Rodwell is expected to shake off a know while Dick will ponder whether to recall Seb Larrson and Jermain Defoe to the starting line up.  While Younis Kaboul and Adam Mathews are both ruled out.

West Ham Team News

Winston Reid is a doubt for Westham, while Angelo Ogbonna and Alex Song are both sidelined.

Last 10 League Meetings

21st Mar 2014/2015

West Ham Utd. 1 - 0 Sunderland

13th Dec 2014/2015

Sunderland 1 - 1 West Ham Utd.

31st Mar 2013/2014

Sunderland 1 - 2 West Ham Utd.

14th Dec 2013/2014

West Ham Utd. 0 - 0 Sunderland

12th Jan 2012/2013

Sunderland 3 - 0 West Ham Utd.

22nd Sep 2012/2013

West Ham Utd. 1 - 1 Sunderland

22nd May 2010/2011

West Ham Utd. 0 - 3 Sunderland

5th Dec 2010/2011

Sunderland 1 - 0 West Ham Utd.

10th Apr 2009/2010

West Ham Utd. 1 - 0 Sunderland

31st Oct 2009/2010

Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham Utd.

Form

Sunderland

Sat 26th Sept

Man Utd. 3-0 Sunderland

Sat 19th Sep

Bournemouth 2-0 Sunderland

Sun 13th Sep

Sunderland 0-1 Tottenham

Sat 29th Aug

Aston Villa 2-2 Sunderland

Sat 22nd Aug

Sunderland 1-1 Swansea

Sat 15th Aug

Sunderland 1-3 Norwich

West Ham

Sat 26th Sep

West Ham 2-2 Norwich

Sat 19th Sep

Man City 1-2 West Ham

Mon 14th Sep

West Ham 2-0 Newcastle

Sat 29th Aug

Liverpool 0-3 West Ham

Sat 22nd Aug

West Ham 3-4 Bournemouth

Sat 15th Aug

West Ham 1-2 Leicester

Last Corresponding Fixture

OPTA Stats 'n' Facts

Head-to-head

• West Ham are unbeaten in the last four league meetings (W2, D2).
• The Hammers won the last meeting 1-0 in Dick Advocaat's first game in charge of Sunderland.

Sunderland

• Sunderland have failed to win any of their last 10 league games (D4, L6) - the longest current run in the division.
• They have only won four of their 26 league games in 2015, scoring just 21 times.
• The Black Cats have yet to keep a clean sheet in their nine matches in all competitions this season.
• Dick Advocaat's side scored more goals (seven) in their two League Cup ties than they have managed in seven Premier League matches (six).
• They have the worst defensive record in the division, conceding 16 goals.

West Ham

• West Ham have the best away record in the Premier League this season, winning all three fixtures and only conceding one goal.
• They have never won four consecutive away games in the same Premier League season.
• The Hammers have scored an unsurpassed 15 Premier League goals - opponents Sunderland have managed just six.
• Dimitri Payet has been involved in 13 goals (four goals, nine assists) in his last 15 league appearances in England and France.