Premier League: Sunderland vs West Brom match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s fixture at the Stadium of Light

Gus Poyet reacts on the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

15th hosts 14th at the Stadium of Light in a game both teams will be desperate to win to alleviate relegation worries.

Sunderland look to bounce back from two damaging defeats in a row, after a home loss to QPR and being dumped out of the FA Cup by League One Bradford.

In contrast West Brom travel to Wearside off the back of consecutive victories. A 2-0 away win at Swansea in the league and an impressive 4-0 obliteration of West Ham in the FA Cup suggests that Tony Pulis has already begun to make his mark on a previously struggling side.

Kick-Off: Saturday 3.00pm.

Past Three Meetings...

West Brom 2 (Berahino 2) Sunderland 2 (Cattermole, Larsson), Premier League, August 2014

Sunderland 2 (Colback, Borini) West Brom 0, Premier League, May 2014

West Brom 3 (Sessegnon, Ridgewell, Amalfitano) Sunderland 0, Premier League, September 2013

Stats...

West Brom’s Saido Berahino is currently the third highest English goalscorer in the league with 10 goals

Jermain Defoe’s goal for Sunderland against Swansea was the 126th of his Premier League career

The last time that Sunderland took more than three points from West Brom over the course of the season, was in 2006/07. Both teams were in the Championship at that point.

Odds...

Sunderland to win: 2.62

West Brom to win: 3.1

Draw: 3.3

Classic Moment...

8-1, 7-1, 6-5, 6-4 and 6-1 are just some of the high scores recorded in games between these two teams in the past. After an opening day 2-2 draw this season, could there be another feast of goals this time around?

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm.