West Ham United vs Sunderland Preview

March 21, 2015
By: Deke Hardman

Sam Allardyce

Saturday’s Premier League action concludes at Upton Park where out-of-form West Ham United host fellow strugglers Sunderland.

The Hammers have taken just three points from the last twenty-one available in the league, a run which has seen their slim hopes of qualifying for Europe next season all but extinguish.

They now sit fifteen points behind the top five with just nine games remaining, but victory here could see them move up to eighth place should other results fall in their favour.

Carl Jenkinson is set to return for Sam Allardyce’s side after being ineligible to face parent club Arsenal last weekend and Carlton Cole is fit to play though Winston Reid, James Tomkins and Enner Valenica are all injury doubts.

Top scorer Diafra Sakho is 6.0 (5/1) to get the first goal of the goal of the game with Coral, with Stewart Downing a 13.0 (12/1) chance with Paddy Power.

The home win is priced at 1.87 (20/23) with a variety of firms, with the visitors as highly priced as the 5.0 (4/1) on offer from Betfred. The draw is widely available at 3.6 (13/5).

A run of 0 wins and just two goals from their last seven games in all competitions, ending with last weekend’s 4-0 hammering by Aston Villa, was enough to see Gus Poyet relieved of his duties at the Stadium of Light, and he was quickly succeeded by Dick Advocat.

The former Rangers boss will be without Lee Cattermole for his first game in charge as the midfielder completes a two game band, but he is able to call on Adam Johnson, who is eligible for selection.

John O’Shea and Sebastian Laarson could also be involved despite missing several days of training last week.

Former Hammer Jermaine Defoe is 9.0 (8/1) to open the scoring with Coral, with Connor Wickham a 13.0 (12/1) chance with Bet Victor.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw when they met back in December – the third time they have shared the spoils in their last five meetings.

With both sides so out of luck of late, you might fancy backing the goalless draw at the widely available price of 10.0 (9/1).

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