Preview – Sunderland

Sunderland

When and where?

Sunderland v West Ham United
Premier League
Saturday 15 April 2017, 3pm BST
Stadium of Light

What’s the story?

The Hammers make the long trip to Sunderland on Saturday looking to take another step towards mid-table.

Last weekend’s 1-0 victory against Swansea City was West Ham’s first for seven matches and lifted them eight points clear of their visitors.

Now, with just a point separating Slaven Bilic’s side from tenth place, they know a victory against the division’s bottom side would virtually secure their Premier League position with five games to go.

Sunderland are in desperate trouble at the foot of the table and haven’t scored for seven games.

Their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday means they are stuck on 20 points from their 31 matches this season, ten points behind fourth-bottom Hull City.

Sunderland were unfortunate not to pick something up from their trip to London Stadium earlier this season, falling to a 1-0 loss with Winston Reid smashing in the winner in stoppage time.

Last season the points were shared at the Stadium of Light, Carl Jenkinson and Dimitri Payet netting for the Hammers as they struck back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw.

Team news

West Ham United face a number of injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s game. Michail Antonio (hamstring) is definitely out after suffering an injury in the victory over Swansea City, while Winston Reid (thigh), Pedro Obiang (ankle) and Angelo Ogbonna (knee) are all on the sidelines.

Mark Noble serves a two-game ban after picking up his tenth booking of the season, but Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Aaron Cresswell will be hoping to be involved following their injuries.

Sam Byram is available, despite rolling his ankle against Swansea.

For Sunderland, Sebastian Larsson is suspended after being sent off in the defeat to Manchester United, while Brian Oviedo is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

John O’Shea could feature for the first time since the death of his father.

Any links between the two?

Sunderland frontman Jermain Defoe started off at the Academy of Football, scoring 29 league goals in 93 games before moving on in 2004.

He has scored goals throughout his career and is still knocking them in at the age of 34, with 15 – including one for England – to his name this term.

How do I get to the game?

The Hammers have sold their allocation of 3,000 tickets for Saturday’s game.

Click here for details of how to get to the Stadium of Light.

The latest travel news on the trains can be found here. If you’re travelling by road, up-to-the-minute news can be found here.

How can I watch the game?

This match is not being broadcast live in the UK, but if you’re watching from overseas the match may be televised in your territory.  Check our widget below for details.

You can follow all the action as it happens on whufc.com, with live audio commentary, social media updates, in-running stats, photos and more. Get involved in the conversation on social using #SUNWHU.