Sunderland v West Brom preview: Younes Kaboul back in training

Younes Kaboul could return for struggling Sunderland when they host West Brom at the Stadium of Light as they look to inch towards Premier League safety.

The Black Cats have drawn each of their last three matches, including a 1-1 draw against north east rivals Newcastle last time out and have top-scorer Jermain Defoe in fine form.

Despite having only won four of their 14 home matches in the league this season, and six from 30 in all, their home form will be a crucial factor in whether they stay up this season with five home fixtures to come.

They are also without a clean sheet in 16 games, including seven at home, and Albion head into the game with a fine record over their opponents, having beaten them more times in the Premier League than any other team (9).

A draw would take them to the recognised safety mark of 40 points with six games left.

Team news

Sam Allardyce has no fresh injury problems and there is good news with Kaboul returning to training after limping out of the 1-1 derby draw with Newcastle on March 20 with a calf problem.

Central defender Lamine Kone and midfielder Wahbi Khazri have recovered from the minor knocks which prevented them from linking up with the Ivory Coast and Tunisia respectively during the international break.

Full-back Billy Jones is expected to be fit after nursing a slight knock, leaving only striker Duncan Watmore (ankle ligaments) on the casualty list.

Callum McManaman could be available for West Brom after making his return from an ankle problem in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Burnley this week.

Stephane Sessegnon will be assessed following international duty with Benin, where he scored three goals in two games against South Sudan in African Nations Cup qualifying.

Chris Brunt is out until next season with a serious knee injury while James Morrison remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, but is closing in on a return.

Opta stats

Albion have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League meetings with Sunderland (W8 D3 L1).

Saido Berahino has scored three goals in his last three Premier League appearances against the Black Cats.

Sunderland have exactly the same number of points from 30 Premier League games this season as they had in 2014/15 (26).

The Baggies have beaten Sunderland more times in the Premier League than any other team (9).

Tony Pulis' side have won just one of their last nine Premier League away games (W1 D4 L4).

Jermain Defoe's tally of 12 Premier League goals is his best in a season since 2009/10, in which he scored 18 times for Spurs.

However, only three of those 12 goals for Defoe have been scored at the Stadium of Light.

Pulis' side have fired in 87 shots on target this season, fewer than any other top flight club.

Sunderland have allowed their opponents more shots on target against them than any other team (179).

Salomon Rondon has scored in four of his last six Premier League starts for WBA.

Merson's prediction

It's a must-win game for Sunderland and I think they will do it. West Brom are not the worst team on the road but they were poor against Norwich in their last game and I'm going for Sunderland to win.

It will be hard for them to get out of the bottom three so this is a big game for them.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet's odds: 15/2)

Betting

Sunderland are 11/10 to boost their survival hopes with a victory as Sky Bet make all-but-safe West Brom 13/5 outsiders, while the draw is priced at 23/10. Jermain Defoe heads the first goalscorer betting at 4/1, with Salomon Rondon and Saido Berahino sharing favouritism from the visitors at 13/2 apiece.