West Ham United return to the London Stadium on Saturday, aiming to construct actual momentum for the primary time this season as they host Sunderland.
The Hammes are actually chasing back-to-back league victories after snapping a 10-game Premier League winless streak.
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Sunderland arrive with confidence of their very own after sealing a hard-fought win of their final outing.
The stage is ready for an enthralling conflict between two groups with contrasting fortunes, and this battle ought to make for an entertaining Saturday kick-off.
Match preview
West Ham lastly caught life in as they claimed a dramatic 2-1 derby win over Tottenham Hotspur final weekend, sealed by a last-gasp Callum Wilson strike.
The victory eased the strain on Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo and injected perception right into a squad that had been drifting dangerously.
That victory, coupled with a slender FA Cup win over Queens Park Rangers, leaves West Ham on the point of three consecutive wins in all competitions for the primary time in 2025/26.
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West Ham are nonetheless 18th within the desk, however the hole to security has been trimmed to 5 factors, and the temper has shifted.
Considerations persist defensively. West Ham haven’t stored a clear sheet in any of their 17 league video games underneath Santo, they usually stay susceptible to set performs and crosses.
Nonetheless, the attacking items are beginning to click on, with discovering kind and Jarrod Bowen driving the tempo.
Sunderland sit way more comfortably within the desk, however arrive with questions over their away kind. Regis Le Bris’ facet haven’t received in six league video games on the highway.
They’ve typically struggled to impose themselves away from the Stadium of Mild, regardless of their spectacular dwelling outcomes.
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Match stats
West Ham have misplaced simply certainly one of their final 12 league dwelling video games in opposition to Sunderland (W9, D2), happening 3-0 in Could 2011, and can again themselves to increase that file.
Nonetheless, West Ham haven’t stored a clear sheet in 19 league matches, giving Sunderland hope of piling on the distress.
The Black Cats are a resilient drive, having received 16 factors from shedding positions this season, probably the most by a promoted facet.
They need to full the Premier League double over West Ham for simply the second time, having performed so in 2010/11, when the Hammers have been relegated.
It’s value noting that West Ham have misplaced simply certainly one of their final 21 Premier League dwelling video games in opposition to promoted sides (W16, D4).
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West Ham are unbeaten in 12 since a 2-1 loss to Brentford in October 2021.
Crew information
West Ham got here by means of the Tottenham win with out contemporary damage issues.
The ‘‘ El Hadji Malick Diouf returns from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) responsibility and instantly enters the line-up.
Lucas Paqueta is pushing to return after a again subject, however Lukas Fabianski stays sidelined.
Wilson’s winner off the bench means Nuno has to make a giant name up entrance, however new arrivals Pablo and Taty Castellanos are anticipated to maintain their locations.
West Ham predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Alphonse Areola; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Konstantinos Mavropanos, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Mateus Fernandes, Tomas Soucek; Jarrod Bowen, Pablo, Crysencio Summerville; Taty Castellanos.