West Ham United vs Sunderland prediction 24.01.2026 | Premier League

Finishing 14th twice in the last three seasons felt like a warning sign. West Ham did not fully answer it. After 22 games, the Hammers are in the relegation zone, and the margin for error is shrinking.

That said, there has been a flicker of fight. A 2–1 FA Cup win over QPR followed by a 2–1 league victory against Tottenham last weekend lifted spirits and trimmed the gap to safety.

Home form remains the worry. Four defeats in the last five league games at the London Stadium is not what you want before facing an in-form Sunderland.

Nuno Espírito Santo continues to lean on Jarrod Bowen, who has six league goals. He should be supported by Crysencio Summerville and Valentín Castellanos, though Callum Wilson’s winner off the bench last time out keeps him in the conversation.

Lukasz Fabianski is still out with a back issue that has lingered since September.

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has felt oddly seamless. Back for the first time since 2016–17, the Black Cats look comfortable. Sixteen points clear of the drop zone tells its own story.

Régis Le Bris’ side have taken points off just about everyone. City, Spurs, Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea, even Arsenal.

Form backs it up. Just one defeat in the last eight matches, and they arrive in London after a 2–1 win over Crystal Palace.

Brian Brobbey scored his fourth league goal in that match and should lead the line again. Granit Xhaka continues to set the tempo in midfield, offering control and calm.

Arthur Masuaku and Bertrand Traoré remain unavailable after returning injured from the just ended Africa Cup of Nations.