Opta Big Match Stats: New Sunderland boss won't lose

West Ham have won just one in 15 against Premier League teams

The Opta trends show that Sunderland tend to fare well against West Ham, as does Jermain Defoe...

West Ham v Sunderland
Saturday, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports 1

Match Odds: West Ham 1.8810/11 Sunderland 5.14/1 The Draw 3.65n/a

Sunderland have lost just one of their last seven Premier League games against West Ham

Picking up an equal number of wins and draws across this period, it stands to reason that the Black Cats will return from this capital-city sojourn with at least a point in Dick Advocaat's first match in charge.

The Wearsiders' solitary reverse in that sequence came at the Stadium of Light last term; they're unbeaten in three visits to the Boleyn Ground, keeping two clean sheets in the process and winning as handsomely as 3-0 at the venue in May 2011.

While the guests are without victory in six league road games, they have avoided defeat in half of these and West Ham have only pocketed a paltry eight points from 12 fixtures since Christmas, hardly the fearsome haul that renders this trip futile for Sunderland.

Recommended Bet: Lay West Ham to win @ 1.8910/11

Jermain Defoe has scored four goals in his last five Premier League appearances against former club West Ham

Since the pint-sized poacher departed in 2004, he has frequently proved the scourge of the east Londoners, though when he rustles the net, he doesn't tend be first. Only one of Defoe's goals against the Irons in the encounters referenced by this Opta insight was an opener, so backing him to notch at any time is the way to go.

Recommended Bet: Back Defoe to score @ 3.9n/a

Sunderland have won the lowest proportion of games where they have been leading of any team in the top flight this season (40%)

There have been six instances of the Mackems leading and not winning this term, with four of those clashes ending all square.

As already ascertained, they look good for a goal - they have averaged a strike per match on their last five away days despite facing four top-nine sides - yet their tendency to squander advantages renders this ripe for a 1-1 correct score punt.

Three of the aforementioned honours-even quartet finished a goal apiece, while since September 20, all of Sunderland's 12 draws have either been goalless or the scoreline we're rooting for.

From December 13 onwards, West Ham have drawn eight times in all competitions and six of these were 1-1 after 90 minutes, the first of which being against Sunderland.

Recommended Bet: Back the 1-1 draw @ 8.07/1