Sunderland v West Brom: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Sunderland were knocked off the top of the Championship over the weekend, but they have an immediate chance to return to the summit when taking on sixth-placed West Brom.

Injuries and suspensions have been hampering the Wearsiders, although their unbeaten run extended to nine games after Saturday’s gutsy 1-1 draw away to Millwall.

The Black Cats have shared the points in their last four matches and will be targeting a victory over Albion, who are just six points worse off in a hugely competitive promotion race.

Carlos Corberan’s Baggies are the division’s draw specialists with eight stalemates in 16 matches, including Saturday’s 2-2 at home to Norwich City.

Sunderland v West Brom betting tips and predictions

West Brom draw no bet - 6/5

West Brom have taken 15 points from eight Championship away fixtures and they look the likelier winners against Sunderland on Wearside.

Albion are in the top six despite winning just one of their last 10 Championship matches, although seven of those encounters have seen the points shared.

Two points were dropped at the weekend with Corberan’s side sharing four goals at home to Norwich in an entertaining encounter.

It was a match the Baggies largely dominated with the shot count 22 to 11 in their favour and there was an understandable sense of frustration from the crowd after the final whistle was blown.

West Brom’s XG (24.02) is well above their goal tally (18), so there would seem to be an issue in terms of finishing off their excellent approach play.

However, they are playing some good football and have an opportunity to register a significant victory over Sunderland, who are blighted by injury problems.

The Black Cats are boosted by the completion of suspensions for Trai Hume, Jobe Bellingham and Patrick Roberts.

But they are still without key players Romaine Mundle, Alan Browne and Dennis Cirkin, who have sustained injuries over the last two matches.

Given the threadbare nature of Sunderland’s squad they competed well against Millwall on Saturday and managed to take a point against one of the division’s form teams.

However, there were signs of tiredness in their second half performance at the Den and it seems far from ideal that they are pressed back into action just three days later.

Head coach Regis Le Bris will be hoping for another big effort from his group, but, after grinding out four successive draws, there seems every chance of a performance dip and a third league loss of the campaign.

Josh Maja to score anytime - 3/1

Ex-Sunderland striker Josh Maja has been West Brom’s main source of goals this season, notching 10 times in 16 appearances, and he looks overpriced to add to his tally in familiar surroundings.

Maja came through the ranks on Wearside and showed great promise - scoring 16 goals in 41 league games - before moving on to Bordeaux.

After loan spells with Fulham and Stoke, he made a permanent switch to West Brom and, following an injury-hit start to his Baggies career, he is starting to show his quality.

Maja’s power and pace make him ideally suited to the Championship and he has every chance of scoring against his former club.

Tom Fellows over 0.5 assists - 11/2

Five of Maja’s ten goals have been assisted by Albion right winger Tom Fellows, who has had a superb start to the season.

Fellows is an old-fashioned type of winger, who focuses on beating his man and supplying a regular stream of quality crosses.

He is playing with confidence and should thrive against Sunderland, who are weaker in the left-back position due to Cirkin’s absence.

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Sunderland v West Brom odds

Sunderland - 5/4
Draw - 12/5
West Brom - 21/10

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.