As Sunderland gears up to face West Ham United in their upcoming fixture, the clash promises to be an exciting encounter with both teams eager to make their mark. Here’s a comprehensive preview of what to expect.
**Match Preview:**
Sunderland, currently positioned in the mid-table of the Championship, will be looking to capitalize on their recent form and secure a crucial victory against Premier League side West Ham. The Black Cats have shown resilience and attacking flair, making them a formidable opponent at home. West Ham, on the other hand, are seeking to build on their positive start to the Premier League season, aiming to solidify their place in the top half of the table.
**Team News:**
Sunderland’s squad is largely intact, with manager Tony Mowbray expected to field a strong lineup. However, the team will miss key midfielder Corry Evans due to a minor injury. In his absence, Dan Neil is expected to step up and provide stability in the midfield.
West Ham’s squad, managed by David Moyes, faces a few injury concerns. Defender Kurt Zouma is sidelined with a knee issue, and midfield dynamo Declan Rice remains a doubt with a minor knock. Moyes may opt to rotate his squad, giving opportunities to fringe players such as Tomas Soucek and Angelo Ogbonna.
**Lineups:**
**Sunderland (4-2-3-1):**
– **GK:** Anthony Patterson
– **DEF:** Luke O’Nien, Danny Batth, Baath, Dennis Cirkin
– **MID:** Dan Neil, Pierre Ekwah
– **ATT:** Jack Clarke, Amad Diallo, Patrick Roberts
– **ST:** Ross Stewart
**West Ham (4-2-3-1):**
– **GK:** Lukasz Fabianski
– **DEF:** Vladimir Coufal, Ben Johnson, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell
– **MID:** Tomas Soucek, Pablo Fornals
– **ATT:** Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Said Benrahma
– **ST:** Michail Antonio
**Prediction:**
Given Sunderland’s home advantage and their current form, they could pose a serious challenge to West Ham. However, the Premier League side’s depth and quality may see them edge out a narrow victory. A 2-1 win for West Ham seems a plausible outcome, with both teams likely to deliver an engaging and competitive match.
