Get the lowdown on Saturday's clash with Black Cats (ko 3pm)
THE guys over atWhoScored.comhave spent the week crunching the numbers to analyse who has the bigger chance of securing victory when Sunderland make the trip to the Midlands to face Albion.Naturally, home advantage will play its part in the encounter, with the Baggies faithful expected to ensure the Hawthorns is rocking by the time the game kicks off.
The supporters can also draw confidence from their impressive form against the Black Cats, with Albion unbeaten in the last seven Barclays Premier League meetings between the sides, six of which they have won.
In those seven encounters, the Baggies have netted an impressive 19 goals, an average of 2.7 per game, shipping just the seven over the same period.
The recent form against Sunderland will certainly have supporters heading to the ground in a positive state of mind, confident that three points is achievable.
Goals may have been hard to come by this season, but that is not to say Albion are not creating goalscoring opportunities.
The Baggies have created four clear-cut chances to Sunderland’s two in the opening four Barclays Premier League fixtures, showcasing their innovative ability hasn’t deserted them, even if results are not swinging in their favour.
The Baggies capitalised on a set-play to pick up a crucial point at Fulham last weekend and as they are currently the most fouled team (61) in the top flight, there should be plenty more opportunities to take advantage from free-kicks.
Gareth McAuley’s equalizer at Craven Cottage could prove to be the catalyst ahead of the Sunderland game, especially when taking into consideration the availability of one further summer arrival.
Stéphane Sessegnon being granted a work permit this week has handed manager Steve Clarke a further attacking option, with the Benin international having netted seven goals for Saturday’s opponents last season, while helping himself to three assists too.
*WhoScored.com is a unique website and one of the fastest growing in the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data. Provided with unique stats, they compile and create comprehensive analysis on the major European divisions, including live match stats and player ratings. Follow @WhoScored and their editorial assistant @BenMcAleer1 on Twitter.
All-time results record (League, FA Cup and League Cup)
Interesting facts
The supporters can also draw confidence from their impressive form against the Black Cats, with Albion unbeaten in the last seven Barclays Premier League meetings between the sides, six of which they have won.
In those seven encounters, the Baggies have netted an impressive 19 goals, an average of 2.7 per game, shipping just the seven over the same period.
The recent form against Sunderland will certainly have supporters heading to the ground in a positive state of mind, confident that three points is achievable.
Goals may have been hard to come by this season, but that is not to say Albion are not creating goalscoring opportunities.
The Baggies have created four clear-cut chances to Sunderland’s two in the opening four Barclays Premier League fixtures, showcasing their innovative ability hasn’t deserted them, even if results are not swinging in their favour.
The Baggies capitalised on a set-play to pick up a crucial point at Fulham last weekend and as they are currently the most fouled team (61) in the top flight, there should be plenty more opportunities to take advantage from free-kicks.
Gareth McAuley’s equalizer at Craven Cottage could prove to be the catalyst ahead of the Sunderland game, especially when taking into consideration the availability of one further summer arrival.
Stéphane Sessegnon being granted a work permit this week has handed manager Steve Clarke a further attacking option, with the Benin international having netted seven goals for Saturday’s opponents last season, while helping himself to three assists too.
*WhoScored.com is a unique website and one of the fastest growing in the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data. Provided with unique stats, they compile and create comprehensive analysis on the major European divisions, including live match stats and player ratings. Follow @WhoScored and their editorial assistant @BenMcAleer1 on Twitter.
All-time results record (League, FA Cup and League Cup)
| PLD | W | D | L | F | A | GD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | 74 | 38 | 18 | 18 | 140 | 102 | 38 |
| AWAY | 74 | 14 | 22 | 38 | 80 | 156 | -76 |
| NEUTRAL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 148 | 52 | 40 | 56 | 220 | 258 | -36 |
Stephane Sessegnon scored for Sunderland in each of last season's meetings between the two sides.
The Baggies and the Black Cats remain the only two Premier League sides not to have recorded a top flight victory this term.
Neither team has won since April - when Albion won 3-0 at Southampton and Sunderland beat Everton 1-0 at home.
Paulo Di Canio was still a player on his last visit to The Hawthorns when he started in a 2-1 win for West Ham back in February 2003.
HOME: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, February 23, 2013, Albion 2 (Lukaku pen 35, 75) Sunderland 1 (Sessegnon 79)
AWAY: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, November 24, 2012, Sunderland 2 (Gardner 73, Sessegnon 87) Albion 4 (Gera 30, Long 44, Lukaku pen 81, Fortune 90)
Form guide (last six league matches)
ALBION: LDLDLD
SUNDERLAND: DLLDLL
Last match line-ups
ALBION (v Fulham – away D 1-1): Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Amalfitano (Sinclair 64), Mulumbu, Yacob (Morrison 64), Brunt; Anelka, Anichebe (Berahino 78). Subs not used: L Daniels (gk), Dawson, Popov, Rosenberg.
SUNDERLAND (v Arsenal - home L 1-3): Westwood; Celustka, Diakite, Roberge, Colback; Johnson, Sung-Yueng, Vaughan (Gardner HT), Mavrias (Borini 71); Altidore, Fletcher (Wickham 77). Subs not used: Mannone (gk), Brown, Larsson, Cuellar.
Sunderland team news
Paolo Di Canio says Emanuele Giaccherini will be in contention after recovering from an injury. John O'Shea is also available for selection after serving a one-match ban.
Lee Cattermole (knee) and Andrea Dossena (hip) are unlikely to feature for the Black Cats having not played this season. Phil Bardsley was suspended by the club last month.
Ref watch
Phil Dowd will referee Saturday’s game. The Staffordshire official oversaw Albion’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester City in May. Dowd has dished out 17 yellow cards and one red card in four games this term.
Betting
Tickets
Tickets for Albion’s clash with Sunderland will remain on general sale to home fans only until kick-off.
Selected odds from Sky Bet:
Albion to win: evens
Sunderland to win: 11/4
Draw: 12/5
Stephane Sessegnon to score first: 7/1
Steven Fletcher to score first: 7/1
If you fancy a flutter with the club's official online betting partner, click here.
Tickets
Tickets for Albion’s clash with Sunderland will remain on general sale to home fans only until kick-off.
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