Saturday 1 October 2016 14:05, UK
Sunderland boss David Moyes will be without three key midfielders for Saturday's Premier League clash with West Brom.
Having already seen Adnan Januzaj ruled out for a minimum of six weeks with ankle ligament damage, Moyes has now lost Steven Pienaar to a hamstring strain, while Lee Cattermole is to have an epidural in a bid to cure neuro-pain in his legs which medics believe stems from his back.
Moyes' men are rooted to the bottom of the table with just one point to their name and they threw away a two-goal lead last weekend to lose 3-2 to Crystal Palace.
West Brom meanwhile have picked up four points in their last two games, with Saido Berahino expected to return after missing last week's 1-1 draw at Stoke with a stomach bug.
Sunderland striker Victor Anichebe, who made his debut as a substitute in the defeat to Palace, is out with a groin problem.
Goalkeeper Vito Mannone (elbow), midfielder Sebastian Larsson (knee) and striker Fabio Borini (groin) all remain on the sidelines.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis has no fresh injury concerns with James Morrison fit after a long-term hamstring issue.
Chris Brunt has returned to training after six months out with a knee injury, but he will not be included in the first-team squad until after the international break.
Sunderland have won once in their last 13 Premier League contests with West Brom (D4 L8) - winning 2-0 in May 2014.
Pulis has avoided defeat in his last six Premier League matches against Sunderland (W1 D5), keeping five clean sheets.
However, Pulis' teams have failed to score in six of their last eight top-flight meetings with Sunderland (two scored in total).
Jermain Defoe has scored 23 goals for Sunderland in the Premier League, but only eight have come at the Stadium of Light (35 per cent).
Sunderland are winless in their last 25 Premier League games in August/September but in October they have surged to three wins in their last seven.
West Brom have won only three of their last 14 Premier League games in October.
Pulis' men have scored five goals in their last two Premier League games, as many as they had managed in their previous 10 outings.
You'd have to say this is a must-win game for Sunderland. They had a disappointing result last week and if you're 2-0 up at home and can't hold on that is worrying.
West Brom have found some form and they are a dogged team under Tony Pulis, who is a good manager. Sunderland will have to have a go as they are the home side and I think they might get caught on the break.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Sunderland are Sky Bet's 11/8 favourites for the victory with West Brom priced at 21/10 and the draw available at 21/10.
However, the Black Cats who are looked upon less favourably in the relegation betting at just 8/11 to go down, while Tony Pulis' men are 11/2 in the market.
Jermain Defoe heads the first goalscorer betting at 4/1 followed by Salomon Rondon, while the strike duo are 13/2 to both find the net.
Sunderland v West Brom is included in this week's Soccer Saturday Super 6 line-up. Enter your predictions here for the chance to win £250,000.
