Sunderland will be hoping to finally secure their first win of the season when they take on West Ham United at the Stadium Of Light.

Recent outings

It's been three weeks now since Sunderland were last at home, where they put in their best performance of the season but were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur. The signs of improvment from that game have not carried over into their last two outings as they conceded twice in the opening 10 minutes to lose at AFC Bournemouth and lost goals either side of half time to be beaten by Manchester United.

Slim positives already lost

A clear positive in this awful start to the season for Sunderland was that despite conceding goals for fun they were at least scoring themselves. However, in their three games since the September international break, they have drawn a blank with the woodwork denying them twice against Spurs while a wrongfully dissalowed goal for offside kept them out at Bournemouth.

Who can change the team's fortunes?

There are no typical excuses for Sunderland going into this game as their only absentee is a long term one with full back Adam Matthews remaining out. Plenty of options are there for Dick Advocaat if he wants to change things as the Dutcham searches for the perfect formula, fans will ask many questions - such as will Jermain Defoe return in attack? Also, who will be the central defensive partnership?

Brilliant away opponents

West Ham's start to the season has been more of the well documented ones throughout the Premier League as away from home the Hammers have been stunning, while in their last season at Upton Park they've only picked up three points from a possible 12. On the road though they've been brilliant with wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Speed has been a factor that the Sunderland defence has not been able to handle this season and they'll face more of it here as the likes of Victor Moses and Diaffra Sakho will line up for West Ham as well as Michael Antonio coming off the bench.

Team news

As already mentioned Sunderland have no new injury or suspension problems but questions remain as to whether Advocaat is brave enough to make changes to the team that might raise an eyebrow or two.

West Ham meanwhile just have long term absentees in the form of midfielders Angelo Ogobohna and Alex Song, however former Newcastle united man Andy Carrol is back from his long term injury and could start the game.

Stats

Dick Advocaat's first game in charge for Sunderland was against West Ham in March, they lost 1-0 at Upton Park.

West Ham have never won four consecutive away games in the same Premier League season.

Sunderland have only won four of their 26 Premier League games in 2015, scoring just 21 goals in the process. 

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About the author
Jamie Joslyn
20 year old sports journalism at Sunderland University, huge Sunderland fan