Premier League: Sunderland v West Brom match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the the Stadium Of Light

Sunderland player Stéphane Sessègnon (Getty Images)

West Bromwich Albion will hope Peter Odemwingie has hit form in time to drive the team into the top four in the English Premier League.

Odemwingie has scored three goals in as many games as West Brom have gone on a winning streak to move into fourth spot and with a relatively easy run until the new year, the Midlands club could stay there, especially if their Nigerian striker keeps scoring.

A trip to Sunderland is next for Steve Clarke's men with West Brom only playing three teams above 10th on the Premier League table (West Ham, Arsenal and Manchester United) in their final eight fixtures of the year.

Sunderland claimed an impressive 3-1 win away to Fulham on Sunday with key striker Steven Fletcher scoring his sixth goal of the season. Under manager Martin O'Neill, Sunderland have been hard to break down this season as they have the equal-third best defence in the Premier League.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

West Brom 4 (Odemwingie 2, Morrison, Andrews) Sunderland 0, Premier League, February 2012

Sunderland 2 (Bendtner, Elmohamady) West Brom 2 (Morrison, Long), Premier League, October 2011

Sunderland 2 (Shorey OG, Bardsley) West Brom 3 (Odemwingie, Mulumbu, Scharner), Premier League, April 2011

STATS

Martin O'Neill's men have managed just one win in their last eight at the Stadium of Light - that being a 1-0 victory over Wigan at the end of September

If West Brom claim all three points on Wearside it would be the first time they have won four on the spin in the the English top-flight since 1980

Despite their outstanding start to the season, West Brom's away form is no match for their exceptional record at the Hawthorns. Steve Clarke's men have won just two of their last 11 matches on the road - although they did win last time on their travel at Wigan.

Peter Odemwingie is the Baggies joint top-scorer this season (along with Shane Long - both four), and Sunderland will have to be wary of the Nigerian, as he has netted four times in as many games against the Black Cats

ODDS

Sunderland to win: 2.40

West Brom to win: 2.90

Draw: 3.40

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 12.45pm and highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm