West Ham United v Sunderland: match preview

Sam Allardyce’s return to Upton Park provides the human interest but the warmth of reception he receives will not change the stakes being fought for.

 West Ham have a habit of dropping points when the Champions League places move into view but victory here might exert some pressure on those above; Allardyce’s Sunderland, on the other hand can take encouragement from an improved run of February performances and the manager’s face will be a picture if his side have earned three vital points to aid their relegation fight.