With four wins out of the past six, as well as a draw, the Hammers will be confident going into this home fixture - but will have to avoid complatency against a side who have an impressive record at Upton Park.
The Hammers should be able to field a very strong side, with only one first teamer absent - Paolo di Canio, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
David James should therefore line up in goal, shielded by this season's regular back four of Schemmel, Repka, Dailly and Winterburn - who will probably replace Vladimir Labant at left back.
After a fantastic performance in midfield for England in midweek, Joe Cole returns to the centre of midfield, with Michael Carrick playing alongside him despite picking up a minor knock when playing for the Under-21s. Fellow England star Trevor Sinclair will line up on the left, with Steve Lomas balancing out the midfield on the right.
Jermain Defoe will partner Fredi Kanoute up front, in place of the injured Paolo di Canio.
The result is not a foregone conclusion, when Sunderland's previous encounters at Upton Park are taken into account. Indeed, Sunderland won this fixture last season, and the boys will have to work hard to enure that they don't repeat this feat for a second season, and allow the Northerners to do the first double over us under Glenn Roeder.
Overall, Sunderland have won only 1 less game than the Irons at the Boleyn ground, but the Hammers will be looking to widen that gap. If they do, then the Hammers will remain in 7th place at the end of proceedings today, and will instill some extra confidence into the team going into the next two tricky fixtures away to Arsenal and Newcastle.
