West Bromwich Albion vs Sunderland predictions: Black Cats to take the cream
&w=707&quality=100)
- West Brom are winless in three
- Sunderland have won three of their last five games
- Recommended bet: Sunderland to win
West Brom and Sunderland meet in one of three early kick-offs in the Championship on Saturday as two play-off rivals go head-to-head.
The visitors look destined to finish inside the top six but outside the top two, as they lead seventh-placed Middlesbrough by 15 points with just seven games to play but they are nine points adrift of Leeds United in second.
Albion currently hold sixth place but they are level on 57 points with the two teams immediately below them and need to find a bit of form if they are to ensure a place in the play-offs after a run of just one win in their last five games.
Team news
West Brom remain without top scorer Josh Maja and he is not expected to feature again this season, although if his side were to reach the play-offs he could potentially return after the regular season has concluded.
Defender Semi Ajayi is also missing for the hosts.
Sunderland could have up to six players missing for the trip to The Hawthorns, including defenders Dennis Cirkin and Daniel Ballard.
The stats
Sunderland have won three of their last five away games, while West Brom have won just three of their last 10 overall.
The Black Cats have won three of the last four head-to-head clashes, with one draw.
There have been fewer than three goals scored in each of Albion's last eight games.
Prediction
Sunderland look fairly secure in the top six, but they they will not want to ease up just yet with seven games still to play and they have a chance to get one over on a direct rival at The Hawthorns.
Without top scorer Josh Maja the Baggies look lightweight in attack and they failed to create any real chances of note in a 1-0 defeat at Norwich last time out.
Albion have been a lot better at home than they have on the road, but Sunderland have been strong travellers this season with 29 points from 19 games and as underdogs they look capable of pulling off a minor upset here and taking maximum points.
The Wearsiders have an excellent recent record against their hosts with three wins and no defeats in their last four meetings.
Sunderland have won three of their last five away games and can inflict a rare home defeat on a Baggies side who appear to be struggling with the pressure of holding on to a top-six place.
West Brom come into this game winless in three and they have found goals hard to come by over the last few weeks, with just four scored in their last five games.
In contrast, Sunderland are not under a great deal of pressure as they look on course for a play-off place and they have been in decent form in front of goal with seven goals across their last five.
The North East outfit have won their last two trips to The Hawthorns and at a big price they can complete a hat-trick of wins at this venue on Saturday.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
