West Ham vs Sunderland: Prediction, Lineups, Key News 

Key Points

• West Ham United and Sunderland aim for back-to-back Premier League wins and three straight triumphs across all tournaments in their Saturday lunchtime clash at the London Stadium.
• West Ham ended a 10-game Premier League winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to Callum Wilson’s last-gasp winner following Crysencio Summerville’s opener and Cristian Romero’s equaliser.
• The win occurred at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but did not lift West Ham above the relegation zone; they remain 18th, five points from safety after Nottingham Forest’s draw with Arsenal.
• West Ham also progressed in the FA Cup with a narrow win over Queens Park Rangers, boosting morale under manager Santo.
• Sunderland secured their first Premier League win of 2026, beating Crystal Palace at home on January 17 under Regis Le Bris.
• West Ham have no clean sheet in 19 Premier League games, 17 under Santo, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities.
• Both teams seek three consecutive wins in all competitions for the first time this season (2025-26 for Sunderland).
• The match represents a crucial opportunity for West Ham to build momentum amid their relegation battle.

London Stadium (East London Times) January 22, 2026 – West Ham United face Sunderland in a pivotal Premier League lunchtime showdown on Saturday, as both sides chase back-to-back league victories and three successive triumphs across all competitions. The Hammers, languishing in 18th place, snapped a gruelling 10-game winless run in the top flight with a dramatic 2-1 London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur, while the Black Cats marked their first Premier League success of 2026 by overcoming Crystal Palace at home. This encounter at the London Stadium carries high stakes for West Ham’s survival hopes, five points adrift of safety.

What Triggered West Ham’s Recent Revival?

West Ham’s resurgence began in gameweek 22, where Tottenham memes proliferated online once more, underscoring the north Londoners’ woes. As reported by Sports Mole staff in their preview, the Hammers plunged Thomas Frank’s men into deeper domestic crisis with a hard-fought victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Merely days after Callum Wilson appeared destined for the exit door, the striker ignited the away end into pandemonium with a last-gasp winner in the 2-1 triumph. This followed a deflected opener from Crysencio Summerville and an equaliser from Cristian Romero’s header.

That result marked West Ham’s first Premier League win since November 8, 2025, yet it failed to elevate them above the relegation dotted line in the top-flight table. The Irons reduced their deficit to safety to five points, capitalising on Nottingham Forest’s goalless draw with Arsenal. Sports Mole’s coverage highlighted how this victory, combined with a narrow FA Cup success over Queens Park Rangers, has mentally bolstered Santo’s squad. They now eye three straight wins in all tournaments for the first time this season, a feat statistics suggest will prove challenging.

Defensive frailties persist, however. Romero’s header last weekend extended West Ham’s clean-sheet drought to 19 Premier League games, with 17 occurring under Santo. Only three managers have endured longer waits for a first Premier League shutout with a single club, per Sports Mole analysis. This vulnerability looms large ahead of hosting a Sunderland side also seeking a hat-trick of victories.

How Did Sunderland End Their Winless Start to 2026?

Sunderland, under Regis Le Bris, belatedly ignited their Premier League campaign for 2026 with a home win over Crystal Palace on January 17. As detailed in Sports Mole’s preview by their football desk, the Black Cats now pursue three consecutive wins in all competitions for the first time in the 2025-26 season. This momentum mirrors West Ham’s own ambitions, setting up an intriguing tactical battle at the London Stadium.

Le Bris’s side had struggled for consistency earlier in the term, but the Palace triumph provided vital respite. Sports Mole noted Sunderland’s determination to build on this, entering the weekend full of confidence. The preview emphasised how both teams’ recent form—snapping lengthy league droughts—fuels optimism, though West Ham’s home advantage and desperation for points add layers of intensity.

Who Are the Key Players to Watch?

Callum Wilson emerges as West Ham’s talisman after his dramatic intervention against Tottenham. Sports Mole’s team news section spotlighted the forward, who silenced exit speculation with his decisive strike. Crysencio Summerville’s deflected opener demonstrated his threat, while the team’s reliance on late drama underscores their resilience.

For Sunderland, Regis Le Bris has instilled belief, with the squad’s response to the Palace win pivotal. Sports Mole preview writers praised the Black Cats’ collective spirit, though specific lineups remain fluid pending final team news. West Ham’s defensive unit, enduring 19 games without a clean sheet, faces scrutiny, with Santo demanding improvements.

What Do Predictions Suggest for the Outcome?

Sports Mole’s preview leans towards a competitive affair, given both sides’ momentum. West Ham’s home record and relegation urgency favour the hosts, but Sunderland’s fresh confidence could yield surprises. The title

“Preview: West Ham United vs Sunderland – prediction, team news, lineups”

encapsulates expert analysis predicting a tight contest, with West Ham slight favourites due to their FA Cup progress and derby boost.

Lineup projections from Sports Mole anticipate West Ham deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation, balancing attack with defensive reinforcements. Sunderland may opt for attacking flair to exploit West Ham’s backline woes. Injuries and suspensions will shape selections, but the preview stresses mutual desperation for points.

Why Is This Match Crucial for Relegation Battle?

West Ham sit 18th, five points from safety, making every fixture a must-win. Their Tottenham triumph, as chronicled by Sports Mole, offered breathing space but no margin for error. Sunderland, higher in the table, seek consolidation, yet three straight wins would propel their top-half aspirations.

The London Stadium atmosphere will amplify stakes, with fans craving sustained form. Sports Mole’s table link underscores West Ham’s peril, while Nottingham Forest’s slip aided their cause. For Santo, halting the clean-sheet drought ranks paramount.

How Have Recent Form Lines Converged?

Both teams mirror each other’s trajectories: ending league winless streaks against struggling foes. West Ham’s 10-game drought concluded versus Tottenham, per Sports Mole’s match report hyperlink. Sunderland’s Palace scalping on January 17 echoed this, as Le Bris’s charges finally clicked.

FA Cup progression for West Ham adds to the narrative, with QPR dispatched narrowly. Sunderland’s all-competitions hat-trick quest aligns perfectly, though historical data tempers optimism. Sports Mole noted only select managers surpass Santo’s clean-sheet wait, framing the defensive context.

What Challenges Lie Ahead for West Ham’s Defence?

Nineteen games without a Premier League clean sheet—17 under Santo—poses the biggest hurdle. Romero’s header epitomised exploitation of gaps, as Sports Mole detailed. Only three coaches have waited longer for a debut shutout with one club, highlighting systemic issues.

Sunderland’s attackers will target this weakness, testing resolve built from recent wins. Santo’s preparations focus here, with lineup tweaks likely.

When and Where Does the Action Unfold?

The lunchtime kick-off at London Stadium on Saturday underscores Premier League scheduling demands. East London Times coverage aligns with Sports Mole’s preview date, ensuring timely insights. Fans anticipate electric atmosphere amid West Ham’s relegation scrap.

Team News and Injury Updates?

Sports Mole’s dedicated section promises latest updates, with West Ham monitoring Wilson post-exertion. Sunderland’s Le Bris assesses Palace heroes for fatigue. No major absences reported yet, but final calls loom.

In broader context, this fixture embodies Premier League unpredictability. West Ham’s derby heroics and Sunderland’s resurgence collide at a venue steeped in history. As Sports Mole encapsulated, both seek history-making streaks, but survival trumps all for the Irons. Neutral observers await whether defensive resolve or attacking flair prevails in this relegation-six-pointer.