West Ham vs Sunderland Prediction 24 January 2026
🔊 Will West Ham move closer to escaping the relegation zone, or will Sunderland edge nearer to European competitions after their head-to-head clash? The teams face off in the 23rd round of the Premier League at the London Stadium. The last time they played at this venue was back in 2017, when the hosts celebrated victory. How will it turn out this time? Let's evaluate each team's chances in our editorial's prediction.
Head-to-Head
📊 Prior to this season, these teams hadn't faced each other in nearly a decade. In total, they've clashed eight times in the Premier League. West Ham have claimed victory in four of those encounters, while Sunderland secured a win in their most recent league meeting. The remaining three matches ended in draws. In six out of those eight games, the total number of goals did not exceed 3.5.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
West Ham United Team Overview
The Hammers have spent just two weeks outside the relegation zone during this Premier League campaign. For ten consecutive rounds now, West Ham's position in the league has remained unchanged - 18th place. The gap to the safe 17th spot is still significant, standing at five points.
In the latest Premier League round, Nuno Espírito Santo's squad finally ended their 10-match winless streak. The Hammers visited Tottenham and demonstrated that they still have the fight in them to retain their place in the top tier of English football. Playing on the counter with just 38% possession, West Ham managed a higher xG than the hosts - 2.97 compared to 1.62. This advantage translated into a tangible scoreline difference this time, as they secured a 2-1 victory.
Match Results: West Ham United
Sunderland Team Overview
The "Black Cats" have faced challenging times over the past month and a half. The team's roster took a significant hit due to the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving Sunderland without six players at one point. During this period, Régis Le Bris's squad managed only one victory, yet they remained within the top ten.
In the 22nd round of the Premier League, Sunderland finally ended their five-match winless streak. Hosting Crystal Palace, the "Black Cats" outplayed the "Eagles" in every aspect: 59% to 41% in possession, 13 shots with 1.59 xG compared to six shots with 0.79 xG. Despite having to come from behind during the match, Sunderland managed to secure a narrow lead by the 71st minute and held on to it until the final whistle, winning 2-1.
Match Results: Sunderland
Latest news
West Ham United
🎙 West Ham risk losing one of their players in the winter transfer window. Reports suggest that Tottenham are interested in signing midfielder Crysencio Summerville. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Spurs have made an inquiry about the 24-year-old. It's noted that West Ham value the Dutchman at £25 million. The winger's current contract runs until June 30, 2029. This season, Crysencio has played 17 matches in the Premier League, contributing four goal involvements (2 goals, 2 assists).
❌ Veteran Lukasz Fabianski has been unavailable since September due to a back injury. For the same reason, Lucas Paqueta is likely to miss his third consecutive game.
Sunderland
🎙 Sunderland's head coach assessed the team's form following their victory over Crystal Palace in the 22nd round. "We have our own identity and a strong connection with our fans. We need to leverage that. Even last season, we felt this bond. We showcased that energy on the field. Sometimes the football isn't spectacular, but the guys are always ready to work hard and fight. At the very least, when you show fighting spirit, you feel the support," said Régis Le Bris.
❌ Not all players returned to the club in full health after the Africa Cup of Nations. Bertrand Traoré and Arthur Masuaku picked up injuries during the tournament.
🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards
The match will be officiated by Thomas Bramall. His average number of yellow cards in the last 10 Premier League matches stands at 3.4. Both teams play with a rather aggressive style. Sunderland follow the patterns of last season's Championship, while West Ham, due to a lack of creativity this season, play similarly. Even in their victory over Tottenham, eight warnings were issued. Buoyed by their positive result, the Hammers are unlikely to ease up in the upcoming game, especially against a former lower league side. Our prediction: total yellow cards over 3.5.
⚽️ Goal Prediction
West Ham are taking initial steps towards a resurgence this season. The Hammers are unbeaten in two consecutive matches and have scored in three straight games. Sunderland have struggled on the road but never go down without a fight. With the home side's growing confidence in attack, it will be tough for the visitors to hold them back, yet the Black Cats themselves show creativity up front. We don't anticipate a goal fest, but a bet on both teams to score (yes) seems plausible.
🚩 Corner Prediction
Despite their position in the table, West Ham spend a considerable amount of time near the opponents' final third. This is thanks to their quality wings led by Summerville, Bowen, and occasionally Paquetá. While finishing has been an issue, opportunities consistently arise, including from set pieces. For instance, the Hammers rank in the top 8 of the Premier League for corners (averaging 5.32 over 22 rounds). With these factors in mind, a bet on West Ham's total corners over 4.5 appears well-founded.
Editorial Prediction
Both teams have recently snapped their lengthy winless streaks, each securing victories in their last two matches. However, when assessing their prior struggles, Sunderland appear to have suffered less; during their five-game winless run, the "Black Cats" managed four draws. Overall, Regis Le Bris's side seems more cohesive this season, with most of their key players back in action. Their recent away victory, albeit in the cup, against Premier League side Everton, was a significant boost. Riding the wave of recent success, we anticipate that Sunderland will not lose. A 1-1 draw should be enough to meet expectations.
Betting Tips: West Ham United - Sunderland
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Comparison of Teams Stats
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