Mads Hermansen starts in goal, protected by a back three of Jean-Clair Todibo, Maximilian Kilman, and Nayef Aguerd. Aguerd makes his first appearance for West Ham since April 18, 2024, having spent last season on loan with Real Sociedad.
Reigning Hammer of the Year Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diouf are deployed as the wing-backs.
In midfield, Argentina international Guido Rodríguez anchors the trio, making his 17th Premier League start since his summer arrival from Real Betis. He is joined by James Ward-Prowse, who marks his 405th Premier League appearance, placing him 40th on the competition’s all-time list. Brazil international Lucas Paquetá operates in the most advanced role of the midfield three.
Captain Jarrod Bowen leads the attack for his 194th Premier League appearance for the club. He aims to become the first West Ham player since Jesse Lingard in 2021 to score in five consecutive league matches, having found the net in the final four games of last season against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Ipswich Town. Bowen partners with Niclas Füllkrug, who enters the match in fine form after scoring in the final three pre-season fixtures.
Among the substitutes, summer signings Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson are both in line to make their official debuts. Tomáš Souček starts on the bench and, should he feature, will make his 195th league appearance, moving him into joint-eighth on the club’s all-time list. The bench is completed by Alphonse Areola, Dinos Mavropanos, Ollie Scarles, Edson Álvarez, Freddie Potts, and Andy Irving.
Sunderland: Roefs, Hume, Ballard, Seelt, Reinildo, Xhaka ©, Sadiki, Diarra, Talbi, Adingra, Mayenda
Subs: Patterson (GK), Neil, Roberts, Rigg, Alderete, Jones, Le Fée, Isidor, Guiu
West Ham United: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Diouf, Rodríguez, Ward-Prowse, Paquetá, Bowen ©, Füllkrug
Subs: Areola (GK), Walker-Peters, Scarles, Mavropanos, Álvarez, Potts, Irving, Souček, Wilson
Referee: Rob Jones
