West Brom vs Sunderland – leaky defences could mean goals aplenty
Published:Goals should be forthcoming when West Brom host Sunderland at the Hawthorns with both teams searching for their first wins of the season.
10-man Sunderland threw away a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 with Birmingham on the Premier League’s opening weekend, while the Baggies were pummelled 6-0 by Chelsea.
Encounters between these sides tend to be high-scoring, with their last four league meetings yielding 12 goals.
The last clash between these two saw West Brom win 3-0 at the Hawthorns, and the Baggies are priced at 6/5 to claim their first three points of this term against Sunderland.
Sunderland were 4-0 winners when the sides met at the Stadium of Light in 2008, and Steve Bruce’s men will fancy their chances against a leaky West Brom defence.
Darren Bent scored 24 Premier League goals last season, and having opened his account for this campaign with the first goal against Birmingham, he is a good bet at 4/1 to break the deadlock against the Baggies.
Both sides are susceptible to defensive lapses, with Sunderland conceding 56 goals from their 38 Premier League games last season, while West Brom were breached by their opponents on 67 occasions when they were last in the top flight.
Sunderland have recruited well over the summer, with Titus Bramble, John Mensah and Danny Welbeck among the most eye-catching acquisitions.
And although they surrendered their two-goal lead last weekend, this bolstered Sunderland team looks like good value to win – if they can keep 11 men on the pitch – at 15/8.
Who do you think will open the scoring? Roman Bednar is a 7/1 shot to do so. See the full West Brom vs Sunderland Match Betting Odds market.
