Week 17 – Tuesday – Sport Grill

Sunderland host West Bromwich Albion in a huge Championship clash.

Victory will see Sunderland move back to the summit for at least 24 hours, whilst West Brom can go fifth with Middlesbrough not in action until Wednesday evening.

Team News

Jobe Bellingham is set to return for Sunderland following completion of his three-match suspension.

Ian Poveda, Salis Abdul Samed (both muscle), Ahmed Abdullahi (groin), Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins (both knee) remain sidelined.

West Brom will be without defender, Darnell Furlong after he picked up his fifth booking of the season in their 2-2 draw at home to Norwich.

Semi Ajayi, Paddy McNair (both hamstring), Kyle Bartley (knee) and Daryl Dike (Achilles) remain sidelined.

When is Kick-Off?

Sunderland host West Brom at Stadium of Light on Tuesday 26 November at 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

Stat Attack

• Sunderland have won three of their last five meetings against West Brom (W3, L2).
• West Brom have won one of their last six visits to Sunderland (W1, D3, L2).
• Three of the four goals across both of Sunderland’s meetings against West Brom last season were scored in the second half.
• Wilson Isidor has scored in three of Sunderland’s last four home games.
• Josh Maja has scored in each of West Brom’s last two matches.

Prediction

Given their recent habit of 1-1 draws away at Millwall and grinding out draws lately, Sunderland will be disappointed to have not clung on for the win but these draws could prove decisive come end of season.

Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats though do need to manage the closing stages better because that is two consecutive games with late conceded goals, especially from winning positions.

West Brom though seem to have made grinding out draws their autumn speciality with seven of their last eight games finishing level, so it is to their fans’ credit that there aren’t calls for Carlos Corberan to go but their draws could prove key come May.

I am therefore expecting a tight game between these two teams based on current form but Bellingham’s return could be well-timed for Sunderland.

Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 WBA