Premier League: West Brom v West Ham match preview

Alook ahead to Sunday’s Premier League fixture at the Hawthorns

Sunday’s second fixture sees the meeting of two of this season’s surprise packages, with West Brom and West Ham both comfortable sitting amongst the top echelons of the table.

Yet in a season where the gap between 4th place and 13th is just six points, both are requiring victory to ensure their early season form is not just a flash in the pan.

For the Hammers, 11th represents an excellent return to the top flight after scrapping for promotion in the Championship last season, while two victories for Steve Clarke’s men would see them climb above Chelsea before the European champions return to their domestic schedule.

They would do well to secure one of those against Sam Allardyce’s men however; their last victory against West Ham came in September 2002.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

West Brom 3 (Dorrans, Thomas, Reid OG) West Ham 3 (Ba 2, Cole), Premier League, February 2011

West Ham 2 (Parker, Piquionne) West Brom 2 (Odemwingie, Ibanez), Premier League, November 2010

West Ham 0 West Brom 0, Premier League, April 2009

STATS…

Sam Allardyce's side have lost three of their last four league outings, and have kept just two clean sheets in their last 12 games.

Nevertheless the Hammers may see this as a huge opportunity to get back on track; they have only lost one of their last nine matches away to the Baggies in all competitions (W5, D3, L1).

After an excellent start, West Brom have lost their previous three matches. Defeat on Sunday would represent their longest losing run since they suffered five successive defeats between December 2010 and January 2011.

The Baggies have gained just one point from losing positions this term, the joint-worst record in the top flight.

ODDS…

West Brom to win: 2.04

West Ham to win: 1.7

Draw: 4.1

CLASSIC MATCH

From the ridiculous to the sublime, Trevor Sinclair’s brace ensured victory for the Hammers at the Hawthorns in February 2003, although in truth the England winger should have bagged a hat trick.

After missing a sitter in the first half, when he shot against the crossbar after Michael Carrick’s effort was palmed to him by Russell Hoult, Sinclair’s double ensured Glenn Roeder’s side leapt above the Baggies into 18th, just three points away from safety.

West Ham also had goalkeeper David James to thank for preserving their advantage, with several crucial saves to deny the goal-shy Lee Hughes.

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 4pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm on MOTD2