The Black Cats got back to winning ways after the international break, but this West Brom vs Sunderland score prediction could upset Regis Le Bris’ momentum if it comes true.
A tight, but deserved 1-0 win over Millwall at the weekend came courtesy of a fine goal from Trai Hume, and the three points all-but cemented Sunderland’s fourth place finish for the season.
There are still seven games to go before the play-off dates roll around, though, and Sunderland still need to build some form and confidence going into those crunch ties.
They’ll have a great chance to test themselves against a potential play-off opponent on Saturday lunchtime when they travel to the Hawthorns to play Tony Mowbray’s West Brom.
West Brom vs Sunderland score prediction will frustrate fans
Discussing the upcoming fixture on the Championship Check-In podcast, Benjamin Bloom and Sam Parkin looked at the defensive tendencies of both sides, and the position they are both in, and ultimately came to the conclusion that we might see a pretty ‘tight’ affair between the promotion hopefuls this weekend.
Parkin said: “That was a really big, really important win for Sunderland last time out. Meanwhile, West Brom versus Norwich looked like a stalemate [until Norwich’s late goal].
“I fancy West Brom at home here, though, given the state of Sunderland, that they’re pretty secure in where they will end up over the next couple of months. There’s never many goals at the Hawthorns, I’ll go 1-0 to West Brom.”
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Bloom didn’t quite agree with that sentiment, and suggested Regis Le Bris can get something from the game.
He added: “I would have said that when Corberan was there, but we do get more goals now Mowbray is in charge. But there is Le Bris, too, and they keep things pretty tight.
“I’m going to play a 1-1 here, which would be pretty unhelpful for West Brom. I’ve got Middlesbrough to win, and with two draws and a defeat in the last three, it is plausible that West Brom could slip out of the play-off positions if this continues for them.”
Either way, it seems that if these experts are correct, there will be no win for Sunderland this weekend, which would be a big disappointment after the return to form last week against Millwall.
- READ MORE: Regis Le Bris has one-upped Tony Mowbray Sunderland achievement, he deserves immense credit
West Brom need a win more than Sunderland, but that could work for the Black Cats
There is something to be said about the fact that West Brom are now facing a disastrous dip in form, and the fact that the Baggies simply have to win here could leave them overly desperate and susceptible to defeat.
Sunderland have nothing to lose. While that could prove to be a motivation issues for the Black Cats, it could also see them go into the game with no pressure on their shoulders, free to play the game they want to.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 39 | 26 | 7 | 6 | 56 | 29 | 27 | 83 |
| 2 |  LeedsLeeds | 39 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 78 | 27 | 51 | 81 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 39 | 22 | 15 | 2 | 53 | 11 | 42 | 81 |
| 4 | SunderlandSunderland | 39 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 56 | 37 | 19 | 72 |
| 5 |  CoventryCoventry | 39 | 17 | 8 | 14 | 56 | 51 | 5 | 59 |
| 6 | West BromWest Brom | 39 | 13 | 18 | 8 | 48 | 35 | 13 | 57 |
Naturally, Tony Mowbray will want revenge on Sunderland for the way they sacked him, even if he was gracious about the decision at the time.
But, Mowbray will fear the likes of Patrick Roberts, a player he knows all about, and who is hitting good form again of late.
Plus, of all Sunderland’s potential play-off opponents, West Brom are a team that have caused the Black Cats little bother in recent meetings. In fact, Sunderland are unbeaten in four against the Baggies, with ten points from 12.
Could they make it five unbeaten this weekend? We fancy Sunderland to at least get a point here in a tricky away tie, which would be enough to keep some momentum going for the Mackems.