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West Brom logo
Championship | Gameweek 44
Apr 23, 2023 at 12pm UK
The Hawthorns
Sunderland

West Brom
1 - 2
Sunderland

Swift (45+1' pen.)
Molumby (23'), Yokuslu (38'), Swift (50')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Cirkin (51', 84')
Gelhardt (70'), O'Nien (78'), Gooch (82')

Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Sunderland - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Championship clash between West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland square off at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon knowing that a victory could be crucial in their bid to secure a Championship playoff spot.

The Baggies and Black Cats head into the weekend sitting in seventh and ninth position in the standings respectively, something which will change after Saturday's fixture.


Match preview

West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan pictured before the match on October 29, 2022© Reuters

Since Carlos Corberan's initial impact at West Brom, his side have struggled for consistency in the second tier, winning no more than two matches in a row since the middle of January.

Nevertheless, collecting five victories from their last 10 outings, combined with the teams around them also struggling to put together sustained runs of form, has led to West Brom becoming favourites for a top-six place.

Back-to-back away triumphs at Stoke City and Blackpool have left the Baggies one point adrift of Blackburn Rovers, as well as two points behind fifth-placed Millwall who have played a game more.

With Sheffield United, Norwich City and Swansea City to follow, Corberan will recognise that there is still much work ahead, yet clubs will now fear playing the West Midlands outfit now that they have built some momentum.

West Brom are also without a defeat at their home ground since the end of October, something which will not be lost on their upcoming opponents.

Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray on April 18, 2023© Reuters

That said, while West Brom possess the sixth-best home record in the division, Sunderland hold the fifth-best return on their travels, collecting 33 points from 21 matches.

Tony Mowbray, a former West Brom manager, has witnessed his side put together a six-match undefeated streak of late, albeit with four draws included.

The two wins came against Cardiff City and Birmingham City, although they failed to take advantage of a half-time lead against Huddersfield Town in midweek as the Terriers earned a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have recorded seven points from their last three matches away from home, but they did lose to West Brom in the reverse fixture back in December.

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

Sunderland Championship form:


Team News

Sunderland's Danny Batth celebrates after the match on March 12, 2023© Reuters

With Nathaniel Chalobah joining West Brom's injury list, Taylor Gardner-Hickman looks in line to deputise in central midfield.

However, Tom Rogic and Jake Livermore are also alternatives for Corberan, who currently does not have the squad depth to make major changes to his team.

Marc Albrighton is an option on one of the flanks if the Spaniard wishes to introduce any fresh legs.

Mowbray finds himself in a similar position in terms of numbers with Danny Batth and Edouard Michut both needing to come through fitness tests to make this game.

Dennis Cirkin returns after suspension and he will feature at centre-back or left-back, depending on whether Batth shakes off the issue that he sustained in the latter stages versus Huddersfield.

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Pieters, Townsend; Molumby, Gardner-Hickman; Wallace, Swift, Grant; Thomas-Asante

Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Cirkin, Gooch; Roberts, Neil, Pritchard; Diallo, Gelhardt, Clarke


SM words green background

We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Sunderland

With both sides having found some form of late, we expect this to be a competitive fixture decided by narrow margins. Sunderland deserve respect for the away record that they have put together this season, but we cannot back against West Brom on familiar territory.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: West Brom vs Sunderland

West Bromwich Albion
56.0%
Draw
28.0%
Sunderland
16.0%
25
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


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