Sunderland v West Brom predictions: Black Cats can bolster promotion hopes

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Sunderland v West Brom in the Championship on Monday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 8pm Monday

Best bet

Sunderland draw no bet
2pts 6-5 Betfair, Power

Team news

Sunderland
Bailey Wright and Jewison Bennette are available after World Cup duty with Australia and Costa Rica and Ross Stewart (hamstring) is back in contention. Alex Pritchard (muscle strain) is a doubt and Dan Ballard and Edouard Michut are short of match fitness.

West Brom
Kean Bryan (knee) remains absent but Daryl Dike is available after recovering from injury. Grady Diangana has returned to training but is unlikely to be ready to start.

Match preview

Sunderland moved up five places in the Championship table after starting their December schedule with 3-0 victory at home to Millwall and they can give their promotion hopes another boost by defeating West Brom at the Stadium of Light.

Tony Mowbray's Black Cats struggled in the opening 45 minutes against Millwall but they played with a lot more intensity after the break and ran out comfortable winners.

The victory took Sunderland up to tenth – one point outside the playoffs – and there should be more to come from them in the weeks ahead.

Having just come up from League One Sunderland's first priority is to steer clear of the relegation scrap.

However, they have got themselves into a decent position and have every chance of pushing on.

Mowbray's squad has been bolstered by the return of centre-back Bailey Wright and winger Jewison Bennette after World Cup duty with Australia and Costa Rica, and by the recovery from injury of star striker Ross Stewart, who is hoping for his first involvement since August.

A fruitful festive period looks likely although a stern challenge will be expected from West Brom, who have improved under Carlos Corberan.

The Baggies reeled off three successive victories before the World Cup, and are looking healthier with long-term absentee Daryl Dike back in the frame.

However, the one-month break is likely to have affected Albion's sharpness and could put them at a disadvantage.

Sunderland were the team who struggled to reach their usual levels in the first half against Millwall, but they should be better for the experience and look excellent value to rack up a third successive victory.

Key stat

Sunderland have won three of their last four matches

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