West Ham host Sunderland at London Stadium under pressure to back up their response, facing an opponent that is no longer a surprise in the Premier League. The 2–1 win over Tottenham ended a ten-game winless run and eased the mood on the London side, but the situation remains delicate for a team that has conceded more goals than anyone else in the league.
On the other side, Sunderland arrive supported by a solid campaign, with just five losses in 22 matches, hovering near the top half of the table and carrying the confidence of a team that has already exceeded expectations this season.
West Ham play under pressure despite recent win
The atmosphere has improved after back-to-back victories, one in the FA Cup and another in the league, but defensive fragility remains the main concern. West Ham have struggled badly in the air, conceding 12 headed goals, the worst mark in the competition this season. Even with a high number of blocked shots, the team plays emotionally on the back foot, reacting far more often than it controls.
The win over Tottenham carried symbolic weight. Still, the overall picture is one of caution. The gap to the relegation zone remains slim, and every round brings a growing sense of urgency. Add to that the situation involving Lucas Paquetá, who is recovering from injury while also being the subject of talks with Flamengo, creating unavoidable off-field noise. West Ham want to keep the player through the end of the European season, while the Brazilian club is pushing for an immediate decision.
Even with the risk of losing a key player, the Hammers are hoping home advantage can make the difference. West Ham have lost just one of their last 21 home matches against newly promoted teams and are unbeaten in that scenario since 2021. Right now, though, those numbers feel more like memories than guarantees.
Sunderland arrive steady and free of obligation
Sunderland are living a completely different reality. Newly promoted and tipped for relegation before the season began, the team have collected 33 points from 22 matches and lost only five times. The campaign has been consistent, built on organization and an impressive ability to respond. Sixteen points have come from losing positions, a figure that points to a level of competitive maturity rarely seen from a team new to the top flight.
Even without an away league win since October, when they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Sunderland are leaning on the strong form of Brian Brobbey and the influence of Granit Xhaka, who has become a central figure, leading the league in line-breaking passes that result in goals.
Sunderland already beat West Ham in the first meeting and are trying to pull off something that hasn’t happened since 2010/11, winning both league games against the Hammers in the same season. For a club that was in League One not long ago, that says a lot about the speed of their rise. This weekend, Sunderland play with confidence.