Premier League: Sunderland v West Brom - Odds and Betting Preview

SUNDERLAND – Sunderland host West Brom in their Premier League clash on Saturday. Both sides have had miserable starts to the season, only gaining one Premier League victory each in their opening six games, and will be desperate to secure some much needed points at the Stadium of Light.

Playing with the home advantage, Sunderland start the match as 5/4 favourites (bet £4 to make £5 profit) with William Hill and Victor Chandler. Alternatively, West Brom can be backed to win at 12/5 with Ladborkes, whilst the draw is available at 12/5 with Skybet.

Sunderland won an emphatic 4-0 victory over Stoke in their last home game – with summer recruits Craig Gardner and Seb Larsson both getting on the scoresheet – temporarily banishing concerns about their poor Premiership form. The worries returned, however, when Sunderland lost 2-1 on the road against Norwich on Monday. Manager Steve Bruce didn't hold back on criticising his team's shoddy defensive display, and surely knows that if his side are to turn their fortunes around they must be more vigilant at the back.

West Brom are one point behind Sunderland, and currently floundering in the relegation zone. Roy Hodgson's side have scored the least goals of any side in the league, netting only a measly three times in their six matches, and recently became the first Premier League side to lose in Wales when they were beaten 3-0 in their last outing against Swansea. The outlook is certainly bleak, but Hodgson is a discerning and resourceful manager, and fans will have faith that he can turn West Brom's season around. There would be no better way to start such a transition than with an away win against Sunderland on Saturday.

In the over/under betting the top price on over 2.5 goals being scored is 21/20 with Ladbrokes, whilst under 2.5 is available at 4/5 with Betinternet. For those punters anticipating a surprisingly high scoring game, over 5.5 goals can be backed at a much longer 14/1 with Bet365.

Nicklas Bendtner has yet to score for the black cats, but is still favoured by bookmakers to break the deadlock on Saturday at 5/1 with Skybet. Bendtner's team mate Dong-Won Ji is also deemed likely to open the scoring, and is on offer at best odds of 15/2 with Blue Square, whilst West Brom's greatest threat is thought to be Peter Odemwingie at 7/1 with Paddy Power.

Sunderland are quoted at best odds of 11/4 by William Hill to win the match after leading at half time, whilst draw/Sunderland is available 5/1 with Coral. Draw/West Brom can be backed at 8/1 with Ladbrokes, whilst the chances of West Brom fighting back to win after trailing at the break are thought to be much slimmer, and Sunderland/West Brom can fetch odds as long as 33/1 with Paddy Power.

Kick off is at 15.00 BST.

Sunderland v West Brom Betting.