Source: Northern_Echo
Match Preview: West Ham United v Sunderland
WEST HAM Green Spector Upson Kovac Da Costa Faubert Behrami Noble Stanislas Cole Ilan[LNB] Bent Campbell Malbranque Meyler Cattermole Henderson Richardson Ferdinand Da Silva Hutton Gordon SUNDERLAND[LNB] Sunderland subs: Carson (gk), Bardsley, Liddle, Kilgallon, Zenden, Cana, Reed, Benjani West Ham subs (from): Kurucz (gk), Daprela, Spence, Payne, McCarthy, Gabbidon, Franco, Diamanti, Mido[LNB] SUNDERLAND: Steve Bruce has fitness concerns over defenders Michael Turner and Alan Hutton while captain Lorik Canas groin injury is likely to sideline the skipper. George McCartney and John Mensah won't feature, Paulo Da Silva and Kieran Richardson will deputise. Bruce has confirmed that Andy Reid will not play again this season and could face an operation on his troublesome calf injury. Suspensions: none Injuries: McCartney, Mensah (both hamstring), Reid (calf) Last five league games: WLDWD Leading league scorer: Bent 22 Next game: v Burnley (H) 17/04/10[LNB] WEST HAM: Influential midfielder Scott Parker starts a two-match suspension after picking up his 10th booking of the season at Everton last weekend.[LNB] Valon Behrami is set to take Parker's place, but Alessandro Diamanti and Guillermo Franco are injury doubts. Suspensions: Parker (two matches) Injuries: Boa Morte, Collison, Hines, Ilunga (all knee), Dyer (hamstring), Tomkins (ankle) Last five league games: DLLLL Leading league scorer: Cole 9 Key player: Carlton Cole - Vying with Darren Bent on the fringes of the England squad[LNB] Last season: 2-0 League head to head: Sunderland 26, West Ham 25, draw 18 Referee: Mike Jones (Chester) G29, Y96, R4 Av 3.44 Last Sunderland game: v Liverpool 1-0 (W)17/10/09) Y3 R0 Odds: West Ham 11/10, Sunderland 14/5, draw 12/5[LNB] It's a fact: No Premier League sides have been awarded more penalties this season than West Ham and Sunderland, each given nine. Comment by Andy Richardson: This looks like an excellent opportunity for Sunderland to take a second away win of the season but the Hammers are fighting for their lives. Prediction: 1-1[LNB]
