By Louis Nixon

The flying high Sunderland will be arriving at the London Stadium today to face a confident West Ham, but can the Hammers make up for their brutal 3-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light? 

Not many anticipated Sunderland’s miracle season so far, but given that we’re nearing the end of January and Sunderland have yet to lose at home, that ultimately suggests how successful they have been since their return to the Premier League. In contrast, the Hammers have struggled to have an impact on anyone this season, but head into this match with three confident performances on the bounce. 

Victories against QPR and Spurs have given confidence to the players and the fans, of which Nuno has already said that the camp feels much happier with the results, and it’s nice to see the smiles ringing around. 

It’s certainly also nice to see Nuno try a new formation against Spurs, and in honesty, I suspect that he’ll maintain this formation heading into the Sunderland fixture, seeing as we still haven’t got a like for like replacement for Lucas Paqueta, which provides a great oportunity for the top two of Pablo and taty to return, or perhaps one of them could makeway for the in-form Callum Wilson. 

Sunderland is a tough opposition and they have a lot of fight against any side that they’ve played this season. It certainly has all the means to be a close game between the sides, West Ham just have to ensure that they keep the gaps closed defensively, otherwise, Sunderland will exploit that factor. Nuno’s side will need to utilise Bowen’s finesse and Summerville’s burst of pace to break through, with both the forwards needing to find themselves in the right place at the right time, similarly against Spurs. 

If West Ham could have a replica of the first half against Spurs but they were more clinical, we’ll find ourselves in a good position, but, we do have to make sure that we don’t shut up shop too quickly because we certainly will struggle to fend off this Sunderland side, they’ve got a lot of attacking capabilities and we need to ensure to minise that to have a good chance at closing the gap down to safety. 

This fixture has all the means to see a draw happen, but it wouldn’t come as a shock to see someone nick it, with a good lineup and fans backing the players. I do not doubt that Nuno’s side could potentially get three points.