West Ham vs Sunderland Preview: Relegation Fight Meets Mid-Table Momentum

West Ham United host Sunderland this Saturday at the London Stadium, with both sides coming into the fixture off morale-boosting Premier League victories.

West Ham secured an important win over Tottenham Hotspur in their last outing and will be targeting back-to-back league victories as they fight for survival. Sunderland, meanwhile, arrive in confident mood after a 2–1 home win against Crystal Palace, a result that lifted them to ninth in the table on 33 points.

The stakes, however, are far greater for the hosts. West Ham sit 18th in the Premier League on 17 points, six points adrift of safety and firmly in the relegation zone. With the season entering its decisive phase, every remaining fixture carries huge significance for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side as they battle to retain their top-flight status.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, known for his pragmatic approach, has struggled to fully implement a solid defensive structure at the London Stadium. The Hammers have conceded 44 goals so far this season, one of the poorest defensive records in the division. However, Nuno’s experience at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest could prove invaluable as the pressure intensifies in the final four months of the campaign.

Sunderland arrive as a well-organised and disciplined unit under French head coach Regis Le Bris. His side prioritise defensive stability and quick transitions, looking to catch opponents out on the counter-attack an approach they are likely to deploy again this weekend.

Team News

West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta could return to the starting XI on Saturday. On his day, Paquetá remains one of the Premier League’s most creative attacking midfielders and could be key in unlocking Sunderland’s defence.

New attacking signings Taty Castellanos and Pablo are available but may not feature from the start as they continue to integrate into the squad.

Sunderland could welcome back both Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra following AFCON duty. Arthur Masuaku is sidelined with an ankle injury, while Bertrand Traore remains unavailable due to a knee problem.

Recent Form & Head-to-Head

West Ham’s last five Premier League matches have produced one win, one draw and three defeats. Sunderland’s recent league form shows three draws, one defeat and one win from their last five outings.

In the last five Premier League meetings between the two sides, West Ham have won twice, drawn twice and lost once, suggesting a fairly even historical matchup.

Key Players to Watch

Jarrod Bowen remains West Ham’s standout performer. The winger has featured in 22 league matches this season, scoring six goals, and possesses the quality to change a game in an instant.

For Sunderland, Granit Xhaka has arguably been the signing of the summer. The experienced midfielder has brought leadership and composure to the Black Cats’ midfield, registering five assists in 22 appearances. His influence is a major reason Sunderland are well placed to finish in the top half of the table.

This fixture is unlikely to mirror Sunderland’s emphatic three-goal victory over West Ham on the opening weekend of the season. With Nuno Espírito Santo focusing on tightening his defence and Sunderland struggling for goals away from home winning just two of 11 away league matches a tight contest is expected.

Sunderland will need greater clinical edge to take all three points, while West Ham’s desperation for results could keep them competitive.

Prediction: West Ham 1–1 Sunderland