Sunderland vs West Brom Prediction: Black Cats to have good fortune

Sunderland will be looking to end a run of four consecutive draws in the EFL Championship when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Black Cats were denied what would have been an impressive victory at Millwall late on last time out, so they will think they're not too far away from rediscovering their winning formula. Albion were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Norwich City on Saturday in their last appearance. Read on for my Sunderland vs West Brom prediction, featuring the latest match odds and team news.

Sunderland vs West Brom Odds

Sunderland are 13/10, or a 43.5% chance, to get back to winning ways on Tuesday. West Brom are valued at 11/5 to take the three points, giving them an implied probability of 31.3%. The draw is marketed at 23/10 (30.3%).

Both teams to score can be backed at 10/11 and over 2.5 goals is available at 6/5.

West Brom striker Josh Maja has scored 10 goals in the league so far, and he is 12/5 to add to his tally on Wearside.

Football Odds

Team News

Aaron Connolly was the scorer for Sunderland against Millwall at the weekend but he is a doubt to feature here after picking up a knock in that clash. Ian Poveda, Romaine Mundle, Alan Browne and Ahmed Abdullahi are unavailable due to injury.

Tom Watson, Eliezer Mayenda and Milan Aleksic could operate in behind striker Wilson Isidor against the Baggies.

The Black Cats are also set to miss defenders Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins, as well as midfielder Salis Abdul Samed, so their back line is expected to be Luke O'Nien, Chris Mepham, Daniel Ballard and Ajibola-Joshua Alese.

Manager Regis Le Bris will be boosted by the return of Jobe Bellingham, though, following his three-match ban. So we could see him reunite with Chris Rigg and Dan Neil in the middle of the park.

West Brom boss Carlose Corberan will be forced into one change at the Stadium of Light as Darnell Furlong is suspended for picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against the Canaries at the weekend. He will likely call upon Reece Hall to deputise against Sunderland.

Central defenders Kyle Bartley, Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair are not set to return until December at the earliest, so Albion are incredibly light at the back presently. Mason Holgate will partner Tjorborn Heggem once again in the heart of the back line. Callum Styles is set to continue in his role as a makeshift left-back, while Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby should occupy the engine room once more.

Daryl Dike remains out of action so Maja and Karlan Grant will likely continue to spearhead West Brom's attack, with support coming from Mikey Johnston and Tom Fellows on the flanks.

Sunderland to win @ 13/10

I do think this is a tough game to call because both teams have had a habit of drawing games of late, and they are both going through a bit of an injury crisis. However, I'm backing Sunderland to win this encounter in the knowledge that Bellingham is back from suspension.

His return to midfield should act as a catalyst for his team in helping them get back to winning ways. It's no surprise that the Black Cats have struggled without him as he is integral to the way they play - and Sunderland are by far at their best when he, Rigg and Neil are playing together.

When this trio is on-song, I'd argue it's best midfield in the league because the football is silky and free-flowing. I am expecting this to return along with Bellingham on Tuesday and I believe it can help Sunderland put an important three points on the board as they seek to leapfrog Leeds United and return to the summit.

I think they were unfortunate to not hold out for a win at The Den on Saturday, which would have been an impressive victory against the in-form Lions. I think the home factor will play its part here too, as the crowd will be right behind the players, playing their part to help end this run of stalemates.

The recent injury to Mundle is a blow, but Bellingham coming back is huge, and I think he can be the difference against the Baggies.

Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13

I think due to the injuries plaguing both sides at the moment will impact the true entertainment value this game could have had if both had full-fit squads available. As such, I think under 2.5 goals is worth backing at the Stadium of Light.

Four of Sunderland's last five matches have seen less than three goals scored, while under 2.5 goals has been a winning selection in four of their seven home games to date.

West Brom have been inundated with low-scoring games at The Hawthorns, with less than two goals scored in seven of their eight clashes there this term. That cycle was broken at the weekend as they played out a 2-2 draw with Norwich.

Albion have seen more goals on their travels, but under 2.5 goals has landed in three of their eight fixtures on the road to date. So I think we could be in for another match featuring these two teams that lacks goals.

Offers

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