After a sublime performance at Stamford Bridge, Sunderland took only a point from next two games. Draw against Everton at home (2-2) and defeat at Wolves (2-3). They’ve been playing nice to watch football, still without a defeat at home (resisted against Man Utd, Man City and Arsenal) and possess serious attacking power in Bent and Gyan. I was thinking about home win, first. But, here’s the problem. Steve Bruce will be missing both of his first choice centre backs, Michael Turner and Titus Bramble. In a tight game, risk would be bigger. I expect more attacking Sunderland, today. Good thing for Bruce is, another defender John Mensah declared himself fit.
The Hammers defeated Wigan in their make or break game, but shock came after it as they demolished Man Utd in Cup game. They didn’t earn any points on that, but mood in the dressing room is completely different. No reason for a fear at Stadium of Light. They don’t have a single win on the road, but actually like to visit Sunderland’s ground. Six wins there of last eight occasions. Carlton Cole is back with two goals in Cup, with Piquionne should be a real threat to the opposite defence (defence without centre backs). The Hammers have scored in each of their last 15 league games against Sunderland.
In some other moment of the season, I guess Sunderland would be a clear favourite. But today with those injuries and confident West Ham, I think they won’t keep a clean sheet. Whatever aspect of this game I try to analyze, conclusions are the same. Goals, both to score, over.
Bet: Over 2.5
Odd: 2.05 Pinnacle
Stake: 7/10
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West Ham 3 - 0 Hull City
Hull City have collected the same number of points as today’s opponent and hold the 17th position with just one point far from relegation zone. They’re typical home side, from total of 24 points, 20 collected at home. On the road they’re the second worst team (after Burnley) with just four draws in 13 games. Tigers scored just 7 goals and conceded 31 and didn’t score in last three games on the road! The Tigers also have failed to score in seven of their last nine away games in the league. As for West Ham, this game is also decisive for Hull and I expected their intention to win all three points. That would, at the same time, make the defense line even more vulnerable. The biggest dilemma for boss Brown is should he include his “key of the keys”, Jimmy Bullard in this game. Midfielder has been absent for 11 weeks and still doesn’t train with full capacity. Geovanni remains sidelined, but midfielder Boateng is available after his red card at Blackburn was rescinded. Hull City have gone 18 games without an away win.
Zola's second season in charge of West Ham has begun with a win, draw and defeat. Starting win against Wolverhampton (2-0 away), goalless draw in last round at Ewood vs. Blackburn and home defeat vs. Tottenham. And maybe, they put the best display against Spurs, showing potential for a top half of the table. With two lucky shots (including Cole’s disaster mistake), visitors scored twice and turned the result in their favor. The biggest concern for Zola was scoring enough goals, with mentioned Carlton Cole shouldering much of the workload. It should be solved with a new signing, Alessandro Diamanti from Italian side Livorno. He made a debut for reserve team, scoring two times from free kicks (6-0 win over Birmingham), which should be enough to find himself in starting eleven. Second club’s acquisition is defender Manuel da Costa, from Fiorentina and he also could make his debut. Midfielder Valon Behrami is back in training after long time knee injury, but won’t be ready for all 90 minutes and will probably start the game from the bench. Defender Herita Ilunga (cheekbone) remains an absentee. West Ham did the double over Wigan last season and have a good record at the DW Stadium, winning four of the five Premier League matches. 
