English Premier League: Sunderland vs West Ham United Preview
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will welcome back Ghanaian defender John Mensah. The player dislocated his shoulder in the fixture against Wolves last week, but returns ahead of schedule to the delight of Steve Bruce, who was having to do without the central
defensive duo of Titus Bramble and Michael Turner, both players sidelined with knee injuries.
Fraizer Campbell remains sidelined for this fixture, the player has been injured for a while now and is expected to return in a few weeks time. However, David Meyler seems to have recovered from his knee injury, which had kept him sidelined for the better
part of the season. Meyler is apparently up for selection but it will be up to Steve Bruce to decide if he wants to use him on today.
West Ham skipper Scott Parker missed the 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the Carling Cup due to a chest infection, but will most likely lead his team against Sunderland today. West Ham manager Avram Grant must decide if he wants to continue with Jonathan
Spector or start with Parker. Cup tied Lars Jacobsen returns for the important away Premier League clash.
Match Facts
Sunderland have not scored in seven of their last 11 meetings with West Ham United in the Premier League.
Sunderland have managed to win only one of their last 11 games against West Ham in the Premier League.
West Ham claimed a win at the Stadium of Light earlier this season when they beat the Black Cats 2-1 in the Carling Cup.
West Ham have not managed a single win in their last 25 away games in the Premier League this season. The only team to have a longer run in that department was Fulham, May 2006 to March 2008.
West Ham have not been able to keep a clean sheet in their last 15 away games in the Premier League.
Out of their last 17 matches at home, Sunderland have lost only once at the Stadium of Light.
After a 13 match barren streak for Sunderland, Danny Welbeck has ended his goal drought and scored in three consecutive matches.
In his last 23 appearances in the Premier League, Darren Bent has scored 16 goals for Sunderland.
Over 35% of goals conceded by West Ham have been headers, the highest percentage in the Premier League.
Sunderland have a shooting accuracy of 34%, the worst so far in the Premier League this season.
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