West Ham predicted XI vs Sunderland: Hammers eye three consecutive wins for the first time this season | OneFootball

West Ham United return to the London Stadium on Saturday, aiming to build real momentum for the first time this season as they host Sunderland.

The Hammes are now chasing back-to-back league victories after snapping a 10-game Premier League winless streak.

Sunderland arrive with confidence of their own after sealing a hard-fought win in their last outing.

The stage is set for an enthralling clash between two teams with contrasting fortunes, and this battle should make for an entertaining Saturday kick-off.

Match preview

West Ham finally caught life in as they claimed a dramatic 2-1 derby win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, sealed by a last-gasp Callum Wilson strike.

The victory eased the pressure on Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo and injected belief into a squad that had been drifting dangerously.

That victory, coupled with a narrow FA Cup win over Queens Park Rangers, leaves West Ham on the brink of three consecutive wins in all competitions for the first time in 2025/26.

West Ham are still 18th in the table, but the gap to safety has been trimmed to five points, and the mood has shifted.

Concerns persist defensively. West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their 17 league games under Santo, and they remain vulnerable to set plays and crosses.

However, the attacking pieces are starting to click, with Crysencio Summerville finding form and Jarrod Bowen driving the tempo.

Sunderland sit far more comfortably in the table, but arrive with questions over their away form. Regis Le Bris’ side have not won in six league games on the road.

They have often struggled to impose themselves away from the Stadium of Light, despite their impressive home results.

Match stats

West Ham have lost just one of their last 12 league home games against Sunderland (W9, D2), going down 3-0 in May 2011, and will back themselves to extend that record.

However, West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in 19 league matches, giving Sunderland hope of piling on the misery.

The Black Cats are a resilient force, having won 16 points from losing positions this season, the most by a promoted side.

They are looking to complete the Premier League double over West Ham for just the second time, having done so in 2010/11, when the Hammers were relegated.

It is worth noting that West Ham have lost just one of their last 21 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W16, D4).

West Ham are unbeaten in 12 since a 2-1 loss to Brentford in October 2021.

Team news

West Ham came through the Tottenham win without fresh injury concerns.

The ‘unbelievable‘ El Hadji Malick Diouf returns from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty and immediately enters the line-up.

Lucas Paqueta is pushing to return after a back issue, but Lukas Fabianski remains sidelined.

Wilson’s winner off the bench means Nuno has to make a big call up front, but new arrivals Pablo and Taty Castellanos are expected to keep their places.

West Ham predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Alphonse Areola; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Konstantinos Mavropanos, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Mateus Fernandes, Tomas Soucek; Jarrod Bowen, Pablo, Crysencio Summerville; Taty Castellanos.