Match Overview

West Ham United host Sunderland at the London Stadium on Saturday in a lunchtime Premier League kickoff. The hosts seek a response after a difficult home run and a heavy defeat in August when Sunderland struck on the counter. Sunderland arrive with an excellent away clean-sheet record but limited scoring output in recent trips. With West Ham 18th after 22 fixtures and points precious for both sides, this meeting looks tight and tactical.

• Fixture: West Ham United vs Sunderland
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: London Stadium
• Date: 24-01-2026
• Kickoff: 12:30 GMT / 12:30 UTC

Predicted Lineups

West Ham United

• A. Areola
• J. Todibo
• K. Mavropanos
• M. Kilman
• A. Wan-Bissaka
• Mateus Fernandes
• T. Soucek
• F. Potts
• S. Magassa
• J. Bowen
• C. Summerville

Sunderland

• R. Roefs
• T. Hume
• N. Mukiele
• O. Alderete
• D. Ballard
• G. Xhaka
• E. Le Fee
• N. Sadiki
• C. Rigg
• B. Brobbey
• W. Isidor

Injury & Suspension Report

West Ham United

• Lucas Paqueta – Injury
• L. Fabianski – Back Injury
• Lucas Paqueta – Inactive

Sunderland

• A. Masuaku – Ankle Injury
• J. T. Bi – Injury
• B. Traore – Knee Injury
• A. Alese – Lacking Match Fitness

Head-to-Head

Recent meetings have been open, averaging around three goals, and the historical record is close. Across 76 matchups, West Ham have 28 wins, Sunderland 27, with 21 draws. Sunderland won the August meeting 3-0, underlining their counter-attacking threat in this fixture, while overall results suggest a rivalry with fine margins.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Form lines point to a cagey contest. West Ham’s recent home sequence of four defeats and a draw has featured one goal per game scored on average, with the side conceding slightly more than they create. Sunderland’s away stretch has brought three draws and two defeats, with only two goals scored across those five matches, yet their defensive numbers remain strong thanks to regular clean sheets on the road.

West Ham look to stabilise at home

West Ham are 18th after 22 matches and have been inconsistent against similarly placed opponents (two wins, three losses). The 2-1 win over Tottenham offered a timely lift, with C. Summerville adding incision in attack. J. Bowen’s six goals and direct running remain central to the hosts’ threat, while a compact structure around T. Soucek and the energetic midfield group will be key to protecting a back line featuring J. Todibo, K. Mavropanos and M. Kilman. The task is to turn intermittent chances into sustained pressure without leaving gaps that were exposed in August.

Robin Roefs stands tall as Sunderland’s last line

Sunderland’s away form has relied on defensive discipline, highlighted by R. Roefs keeping eight clean sheets in 11 league trips. Goals have been scarce recently, but their last outing ended in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace with E. Le Fee on the scoresheet. With G. Xhaka anchoring midfield and B. Brobbey and W. Isidor providing outlets, Sunderland are set up to keep games tight and exploit transitions rather than commit numbers forward early.

Tactical outlook and key battles

Expect West Ham to attempt a higher press and quicker service into the front line to prevent Sunderland settling into their compact shape. The midfield duel between T. Soucek and G. Xhaka will dictate tempo, while E. Le Fee’s movement between the lines can test West Ham’s spacing. On the flanks, J. Bowen against T. Hume/N. Mukiele is a decisive matchup for territory and entries into the box. Set plays and second-ball control may carry added weight if clear chances are limited.

Prediction: A low-scoring game with few clear openings. West Ham’s urgency meets Sunderland’s defensive resilience. West Ham United 1-1 Sunderland.