Premier League: Sunderland vs West Ham match preview

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

(Getty Images)

West Ham will look to regain third place in the Premier League when they travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland.

High-flying West Ham will return to third if they pick up their fourth consecutive league win on Saturday afternoon, but Manchester United will reinstate their two-point advantage over the Hammers if they win at Anfield the following day.

Sam Allardyce’s side have surprised many this season, with a new brand of intricate and inventive attacking football that has propelled them into the top four. The Hammers have taken 27 points from 15 games, more than double the amount they had at this stage of last season.

Sunderland have failed to register a win in their last five games and only scored twice. Gus Poyet’s side are just two points clear of the relegation zone and will look to ascend the table by picking up their first win since November 4.

KICK-OFF: 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Sunderland 1 (Johnson) West Ham 2 (Carroll, Diame), Premier League, March 2014

West Ham 0 v Sunderland 0, Premier League, December 2013

Sunderland 3 (Larsson, Johnson, Mclean) v West Ham 0, Premier League, January 2013

STATS…

West Ham have scored 12 headed goals this season, twice as many as any other Premier League side

West Ham have failed to score in four of their last six Premier League games against Sunderland

Diafra Sahko has scored in seven of his last eight appearances for West Ham

Sunderland have failed to score in three of their last four matches

ODDS…

Sunderland to win: 2.7

West Ham City: 2.6

Draw: 3.3

TV: Match of the Day 10.30pm