Sunderland v West Brom preview

Expect a gritty relegation battle at the Stadium of Light

Last updated: 12th December 2008

Ricky Sbragia Sunderland caretaker manager

Sbragia: West Brom challenge

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Sunderland 2 West Brom 1
Sky Bet odds: Sunderland 11/10 Draw 9/4 West Brom 13/5
One to Watch: Kieran Richardson
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Managerless Sunderland look to pull clear of the relegation zone against rock bottom West Brom.

The Black Cats head into Saturday's encounter off the back of a three-match losing streak at the Stadium of Light.

With just one win in their last seven League games, Sunderland have dropped to third -bottom in the Premier League table.

Failing to keep a clean sheet in their last eight league games, the home side are equally inept in attack - netting just once in their last three matches.

Equally weak up-front, the Baggies have notched just two points from a possible 27 since their 1-0 home win over Fulham back in October.

Losing more matches on the road than any other club in the top flight, the visitors have failed to score in five of their eight games away from home.

Their one and only win on the road this term came against Middlesbrough back in September where a solitary goal by defender Jonas Olsson was enough to seal a rare three points.

Victory on Saturday could see Tony Mowbray's side leapfrog their opponents and lift them off the bottom of the table.

Team news

Sunderland caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia will be boosted by the return of Kieran Richardson who missed last week's 1-0 defeat by former club Manchester United through suspension.

Sbragia, though, will be without goalkeeper Craig Gordon (ankle) and full-back George McCartney (foot) who are both still struggling for fitness.

The visitors will be without striker Ishmael Miller who is sidelined for the remainder of the season with a cruciate ligament injury picked up in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth last week.

Craig Beattie looks a likely replacement for the injured striker after being recalled from a loan spell with Crystal Palace.

Roman Bednar and Luke Moore also offer a welcome boost in attack for Tony Mowbray who has no other injury problems to contend with.

Possible starting Xls:

Sunderland: Fulop, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, Bardsley, Malbranque, Richardson, Whitehead, Reid, Diouf, Cisse

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison, Valero, Greening, Koren, Brunt, Beattie.

Sunderland v West Brom 1st Goalscorer: Beattie, C. 9/1