West Brom make the trip to the North East to play their most favourite opponents in Premier League history.
Sunderland have had a real up and down last couple of weeks with them going on a little three game unbeaten run and then losing at home to QPR and going out of the FA Cup at the hands of League One, Bradford City, on Sunday.
Manager Gus Poyet has come in for a fair bit of stick recently and has hardly helped his own cause by complaining about the media and his own fans attitude. Some are even calling this a must win for Poyet personally as if West Brom win at the Stadium Of Light, Sunderland could also be another club on the hunt for a new manager.
West Brom meanwhile have been on a steady improvement since Tony Pulis was put in charge in the new year. They come into this one with extreme confidence having dispatched of Swansea in the league and West Ham in the cup both comfortably in their last two outings.
A big reason for the Baggies success is the out of the blue form of record signing forward Brown Ideye who West Brom were trying to sell on deadline day. Injuries have given the striker a chance though and he has taken it with four goals in his last three games.
Team news
There is only one serious doubt for Sunderland, but it's a big one with Jermain Defoe a concern for the game with a Calf injury
Jonas Olsson could be in contention for the Baggies following an Achilles injury and playing 90 minutes for the reserves in the week.
Stats
West Brom have only lost one of their last 10 Premier League games against Sunderland, the reverse fixture last season.
Sunderland have only won two of their last 14 Premier League games at the Stadium Of Light