Sunderland vs West Ham Premier League Prediction (16.08.2025)

On August 16, 2025, at 21:00 WIB, at the Stadium of Light, in the first round of the English Premier League, Sunderland will host West Ham United. Bookmakers see the visitors as slight favorites. Let’s review the teams’ current form and share our prediction for the game.

Sunderland

The Black Cats have returned to the Premier League after 8 years. During that period, the team even played in the third division. Last season in the Championship, Sunderland ended on a run of five straight defeats. However, this was likely a tactical move from the club’s management. The Black Cats had already lost their chance to fight for the top two and were safe from dropping out of the top six, so they saved their strength for the playoffs. There, they successfully overcame Coventry first, and then Sheffield United.

Sunderland had an active preseason but managed to win only 2 of 8 matches. The summer transfer window brought significant squad changes. Notable departures included Jobe Bellingham and Tom Watson. However, the club signed over 10 new players, including Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Simon Adingra, and others.

West Ham United

The Hammers had a mixed season last year. They comfortably avoided relegation by finishing 14th in the Premier League, but most points came against bottom-half teams. Notably, in their last 11 league matches, West Ham managed just two wins.

There have been no major changes in the squad so far. The biggest loss was the departure of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham, with Senegalese midfielder Diouf from Slavia brought in as his replacement. The defense was also strengthened: Jean-Clair Todibo arrived from Nice, and goalkeeper Mads Hermansen joined from Leicester.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Matches between these sides have always been competitive, but they last faced each other back in 2017.

Prediction

For Sunderland vs West Ham United, predicting the winner is tricky. The Hammers do not look like an intimidating opponent, even against a newly promoted side. However, early in the season, the decisive factor might be that the Black Cats, after significant squad changes, are still an unpolished team. They will likely lack cohesion in the opening rounds. Therefore, we suggest betting on West Ham (0) Asian handicap at odds of 1.65.