Preview: Sunderland vs. West Ham United

Sunderland will be determined to begin a winning run following their disappointing festive schedule when they take on West Ham United at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

The Black Cats started off well over the Christmas period by clinching victories over Southampton and champions Manchester City but they stumbled to defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

The Hammers, however, head into the meeting on the back of a 2-1 win over Norwich City, but they also picked up two losses over the festive period.

The two sides last met in 2010 at the Stadium of Light where Sunderland clinched a slender 1-0 win courtesy of a Jordan Henderson - who now plays for Liverpool - strike but manager Martin O'Neill is likely to rely on the goal threat of Steven Fletcher this weekend.

Meanwhile, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is likely to opt for new signing Joe Cole in midfield, while Carlton Cole is expected to lead the line for the visitors.

Recent form

Sunderland: LWWLL

West Ham: LDLLW

Possible starting lineups

Sunderland: Mignolet; Gardner, Cuellar, Kilgallon, Rose; Johnson, Larsson, Colback, McClean; Sessegnon; Fletcher

West Ham: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Reid, Tomkins, O'Brien; Noble, Collison, O'Neil; J Cole, Nolan, Vaz Te; C Cole

Sports Mole says: 1-1