West Ham vs Sunderland on 24 January
On January 24th, West Ham United will welcome Sunderland to the London Stadium for a highly anticipated Premier League clash. With both sides entrenched in the mid-table battle, the stakes couldn’t be higher. West Ham, aiming to solidify their top-half aspirations, face a Sunderland team determined to climb out of the relegation zone. It’s a contest of tactical nuance, individual brilliance, and contrasting team ambitions. The weather forecast suggests a clear, crisp evening—conditions that will bring the best out of both sides as they battle for crucial points in this Premier League encounter.
West Ham: Tactical Approach and Current Form
West Ham United’s form has been a mix of solid and inconsistent performances recently. In their last five matches, they’ve managed two wins, two losses, and one draw. They currently sit in mid-table but are only a few points away from the European spots, making this game pivotal in their quest for continental football next season. David Moyes has been able to implement a well-structured, defensive-focused approach while maintaining a potent counter-attacking threat. West Ham predominantly sets up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the midfield duo of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek providing both defensive solidity and the drive to transition quickly into attack. Statistically, West Ham have been strong defensively, conceding just 1.1 goals per game on average in the last five fixtures. Their pressing game in the middle third is a crucial feature of their tactics, with high pressing moments designed to disrupt the opposition’s build-up play. Their xG (expected goals) for the last five matches stands at 7.8, suggesting they have created high-quality chances despite a low overall possession percentage (46%). The Hammers’ key strength lies in their set-piece efficiency, with the towering presence of Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna posing a constant aerial threat. The form of Jarrod Bowen is critical to their attacking fluidity. Bowen has been in excellent form recently, scoring and assisting, offering pace and creativity in wide areas. Michail Antonio, although somewhat inconsistent, is a key focal point in the final third, using his physicality to hold up the ball and bring others into play. Injury concerns surround midfielder Pablo Fornals, who remains a doubt for this match. If he is sidelined, Moyes may have to shift to a more conservative midfield setup with Lanzini or Benrahma potentially stepping into a more central role.
Sunderland: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Sunderland’s form has been patchy, with only one win in their last five Premier League fixtures. The Black Cats have had a difficult time against stronger opposition, but their resilience and competitive spirit have been evident. Sunderland's current tactical approach revolves around a compact 4-3-3 formation, with emphasis on defensive organization and counter-attacks. They tend to set up deep in their own half, looking to break quickly via long balls to their dynamic wingers, such as Jack Clarke and Amad Diallo. Defensively, Sunderland's issues have been at the heart of their play, conceding 1.8 goals per game on average in the last five. Their pressing is less intense compared to West Ham’s, often waiting for the opposition to make a mistake in their defensive third. However, they’ve shown flashes of brilliance in counter-attacking situations, with an xG of 5.2 in their last five matches—indicating they have been more efficient than expected in front of goal. Key players for Sunderland include Diallo, whose flair and dribbling make him a constant threat in the final third. While not necessarily a clinical finisher, he brings a creative spark and is central to Sunderland’s offensive transitions. The absence of the experienced Patrick Roberts due to injury is a blow, leaving Sunderland with fewer attacking options on the right side. Defensively, the center-back pairing of Daniel Ballard and Luke O’Nien will need to be at their best to handle the physicality of Antonio and the aerial threat of Zouma and Antonio.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
Historically, West Ham has had the upper hand in their encounters with Sunderland. In the last five meetings between the two clubs, West Ham has won three, while Sunderland has managed one victory and one draw. The most recent encounter came in the 2022-2023 season, where West Ham secured a 3-1 win at the London Stadium, with goals from Antonio and Bowen proving decisive. The psychological edge is undoubtedly with West Ham heading into this match. Their recent form in the league has been solid, and the absence of significant injuries suggests they will field a strong starting eleven. Sunderland, on the other hand, has often struggled against teams with the attacking quality of West Ham. The Black Cats will need to exhibit discipline and composure to avoid being overwhelmed, especially in high-pressure situations in front of a boisterous London Stadium crowd.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
One of the most crucial battles will take place in midfield, where the tussle between Declan Rice and Sunderland’s midfield trio will be a decisive factor. Rice’s ability to break up opposition attacks and transition play will be key in determining whether West Ham can dictate the tempo of the match. Sunderland’s midfielders will need to outwork Rice to disrupt West Ham’s build-up and limit the quality of their chances. On the wings, the duel between West Ham’s Bowen and Sunderland’s left-back, Aji Alese, will be another defining battle. Bowen has the pace and dribbling skills to cause havoc in one-on-one situations, but Alese has the physicality and defensive nous to counteract Bowen’s runs. If Bowen can exploit this matchup, it will create significant problems for Sunderland’s defensive shape. Finally, in the center of defense, Kurt Zouma’s aerial presence will be vital. Sunderland’s best route to goal may be from set-pieces, where they could test West Ham’s ability to defend crosses and corners. Ballard and O’Nien will need to make a decisive impact in the air, providing support to their attacking players when it comes to set-piece situations.
Match Scenario and Prediction
West Ham will likely dominate possession, controlling the game through their midfield duo of Rice and Soucek. Sunderland will focus on staying compact, looking for opportunities to break on the counter, with Diallo’s pace and direct running being their most dangerous weapon. West Ham’s pressing and set-piece proficiency should be enough to force Sunderland into mistakes and create several chances, while the visitors will rely on defensive solidity and quick transitions to counter West Ham’s attacking pressure. Considering Sunderland’s struggles against top-half teams and West Ham’s solid defensive form at home, I predict a 2-0 win for West Ham. The Hammers are likely to control the game through their midfield, with Bowen contributing to a goal and Antonio proving a nuisance in the final third. Sunderland’s lack of depth in attack and their defensive fragility will ultimately lead to a challenging night at the London Stadium.
Final Thoughts
This match is a crucial test for both teams: can Sunderland pull off an upset with their resolute defending and counter-attacking play, or will West Ham’s superior quality and home advantage prove too much? The key factors will be West Ham’s pressing game and set-piece efficiency, alongside Sunderland’s ability to frustrate their hosts and exploit counter-attacking moments. One thing is certain: the battle between these two teams will reveal whether Sunderland can survive in the top flight or if West Ham will secure a crucial step towards European qualification.
