West Ham need to prove Chris Sutton wrong in his prediction for their clash with Sunderland

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West Ham United meet Sunderland in a massive game to kick off the Premier League weekend.  

It is simply a must-win game for West Ham United.  

Recent victories over QPR and Tottenham raise hope, but Saturday’s clash against the Black Cats will offer a better indication as to where this team are right now.

While West Ham played well against Tottenham, Sunderland will no doubt offer a sterner test. 

Still, as good as Sunderland have been this season, the Hammers do have reason to believe.

The Wearside club just aren’t the same team away from home and have won only two Premier League games on the road this season. 

As such, Chris Sutton believes there’s something in it for the Irons. 

Chris Sutton predicts West Ham to draw with Sunderland

Sutton does not believe the London Stadium helps West Ham, given the way supporters feel about playing there.  

However, this time around, the former England striker has backed Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to claim at least a point.  

He believes Sunderland’s poor away record will see the Hammers hold them to a draw.

Writing in his BBC Sport column, Sutton said: “Sunderland’s 3-0 win over West Ham on the opening weekend really set the tone for both teams’ seasons, but it doesn’t really help me much here.

“The Hammers’ win at Tottenham last week was extraordinary given their form going into that game, but their home record is still extremely poor.

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“Sunderland, meanwhile, are not the same force on the road as they are at the Stadium of Light, and they have not won away since the end of October.

“Still, it has been such a strange season, with everyone beating everyone, that form, history, tables and stats are not really much help with these predictions anyway.

“In the past few weeks, I have thought too much about AI and gone down the stat route to try to beat it at its own game, but that’s not how I won the predictions title in previous seasons.

“I need to go with my gut instinct more, and that’s what I’m doing here.”

“Sutton’s prediction: 1-1.”

That, however, would do little to help the club right now. Three points are desperately needed.

West Ham’s recent record against Sunderland

Sunderland thrashed West Ham 3-0 back in August in what was one of their worst displays all season.

However, the Irons do have a reasonably good record at home against the Black Cats over their last few meetings.

Sunderland haven’t beaten West Ham away since 2011. Obviously, the fact they were out of the Premier League for years helps that record look better, but east London has not been a happy hunting ground for them for a while now.

A draw will just not be enough for West Ham here. Relegation rivals Nottingham Forest face a very difficult trip to Brentford on Sunday, so there’s a real chance to cut the gap to safety to just two points.