Sunderland v West Ham preview

Zola: Soldiering on

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Sunderland 2 West Ham 2
Sky Bet odds: Sunderland 11/10 Draw 12/5 West Ham 5/2
One to Watch: Kenwyne Jones
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Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United head to the North East to take on Sunderland looking to end a worrying run of form, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1.

The Hammers are without a win in seven Premier League outings and have steadily slipped down the table into 14th, a point above the relegation zone.

They did, however, keep their first clean sheet in 25 matches after drawing 0-0 with Portsmouth last weekend.

But a trip to the Stadium of Light spells danger as they have not won outside London since December last year.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have been hardly watertight at the back, having managed a single shut-out in their previous 12 home matches.

However, Roy Keane's charges brought an end to three straight losses with success at Blackburn Rovers and will be looking to build on what was a fine result.

Team news

Carlos Edwards could be a surprise inclusion in the Sunderland squad after the right-winger was recalled from a loan spell at Wolves this week.

Black Cats defender Anton Ferdinand is set to come up against his former club after he left West Ham in the summer.

Keane is keeping his fingers crossed that Trinidad and Tobago trio Kenwyne Jones, Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards return unscathed from international duty.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon (ankle) and defender George McCartney (foot) are again rated at only 50-50, while young striker Martyn Waghorn has joined Charlton on a month's loan.

West Ham's Diego Tristan faces a late fitness test after returning to training following a knock.

Herita Ilunga has recovered from an ankle injury, but Mark Noble (calf) and Kieron Dyer are still out - although the latter has resumed training.

Jonathan Spector is in contention for a place in the squad following hip surgery in August, but Dean Ashton and Danny Gabbidon remain in the treatment room.

Possible starting XIs

Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Nosworthy, Collins, Richardson, Whitehead, Reid, Malbranque, Jones, Cisse.

West Ham: Green, Behrami, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker, Mullins, Bowyer, Bellamy, Cole.