- Sunderland have won only two of their last nine league games
- West Brom have lost only two of their last eight Championship matches
- Recommended bet: West Brom draw no bet

Sunderland get set to embark on their first Championship fixture since parting ways with manager Tony Mowbray and it is a tough starting point for them at home to West Brom.

The Black Cats have won only two of their nine league games since the start of October, which leaves them three points outside the play-off places.

Mowbray was in charge at the Stadium of Light for 16 months, so Sunderland are unlikely to be in any rush to find his replacement as they target a Premier League return.

West Brom are in the play-off spots, sitting fifth in the Championship despite suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to league leaders Leicester last time out.

However, the Baggies had been in excellent nick prior to losing to the Foxes and, having won at the Stadium of Light last season, they will be hoping to repeat the trick.

Team news

Sunderland remain without Ajibola Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Corry Evans, Jay Matete and Timothee Pembele.

West Brom have reported no fresh injury concerns with long-term absentees Daryl Dike and Adam Reach their only two players on the sidelines.

The stats

Sunderland have dropped points in seven of their last nine league games, going three matches without a win.

The Black Cats have won five of their nine home league games, though, with both teams scoring in three of their last four.

West Brom were beaten 2-1 at home to Leicester last time out but they have won five of their last seven league matches.

Under 2.5 goals has landed in five of West Brom’s last eight league games while that bet has also obliged in five of the last seven meetings between these sides.

The Baggies have failed to win in six of their last nine away games in the Championship.

Prediction

Managerless Sunderland will be hoping to make a winning start to life without Mowbray and there is every chance the change in tack could work for the Black Cats.

However, it is not the ideal preparation and in West Brom they meet a side that are on the up under Carlos Coberan.

The Baggies are fifth in the Championship, five points above the Black Cats, and since the middle of October they have been going great guns, losing only twice in eight outings.

Those two defeats came against league leaders Leicester and high-flying Southampton, both of whom needed late goals to triumph 2-1.

Even so, West Brom have recorded wins over second-placed Ipswich and playoff rivals Hull since the start of November and they could claim another vital three points away at the Stadium of Light.

Back West Brom draw no bet at 21/20 with LiveScore Bet.

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