West Brom vs Sunderland predictions: Baggies can see off stuttering Black Cats
- West Brom are unbeaten in their last 10 games
- Sunderland have lost seven of their last 11 matches
- Recommended bet: West Brom to win
West Brom look locked in for a play-off spot as they are in fifth place with a nine-point cushion over Coventry in seventh with games fast running out for those on the outside looking in.
The Baggies cannot reach the automatic spots but they will be looking to maintain their momentum going into the play-offs, and should fancy their chances of seeing off an out-of-sorts Sunderland side.
The Black Cats had promotion hopes of their own going into the season but their top-six aspirations have been over for some time.
The visitors have managed just one win in their last 11 games, although they do come into the game after holding title hopefuls Leeds to a goalless draw at Elland Road.
Team news
Conor Townsend and Alex Mowatt should return to the West Brom starting side after being left on the bench in the win over Rotherham last time out.
Josh Maja should also be involved again after making a return from injury from the bench against the Millers, although he is likely to start among the substitutes.
Sunderland’s Corry Evans has missed the entirety of the season so far with a cruciate ligament injury but is close to a return.
Evans has featured for the development squad in recent weeks and should make a first team return before the season comes to an end, although he may not be risked at West Brom.
Dennis Cirkin remains absent for the visitors due to a hamstring issue and Nazariy Rusyn is rated as a doubt.
The stats
West Brom, who are enjoying a 10-game unbeaten streak, have won nine of their last 12 home games (D1, L2) in all competitions, with one of those defeats coming against Premier League side Wolves in the FA Cup.
Sunderland have lost four of their last six away games (W1, D1), while they have won only two and lost nine of their last 16 league games on the road.
The Baggies have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight games.
Sunderland have failed to score in five of their last eight games.
Prediction
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan opted to rest a few key men for the game against relegated Rotherham last time out but should revert to his best XI for the visit of Sunderland.
Albion are gearing up for a play-off push and Corberan will not want to lose any starters to injury, but they have yet to mathematically guarantee a top-six place so they are unlikely to ease off too much until they do.
Sunderland are drifting towards a disappointing mid-table finish after a run of seven defeats in their last 11 games, winning just one.
The visitors did manage to hold Leeds to a 0-0 draw last time out but they expended a lot of energy in that game and could be a little jaded at The Hawthorns, while that marked the fifth time in the last eight games that they have failed to score.
There is the slight danger that West Brom may view the season as ‘job done’ until the play-offs begin but they are not quite out of reach of Coventry and Preston just yet, with both of those teams also having a game in hand.
As such, the hosts should be pushing for the victory on Saturday as they bid to lock in fifth place and a home win looks the most likely outcome.
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