The Premier League have announced the refereeing schedule for this weekend’s fixtures and the appointment of Andre Marriner for West Ham’s clash with Sunderland doesn’t bring good omens.
Marriner has taken charge of two Sunderland clashes so far this season and the Black Cats have won them both- meaning Marriner has been in the middle for two of Sunderland’s five victories in the league this season.
The official is also well-adversed to taking charge of matches involving West Ham this season, having been in the middle for four of the Hammers matches- and Slaven Bilic’s side have won just one of those games.
West Ham’s sole victory with Marriner in the middle came against Swansea City on Boxing Day, with the Hammers losing two and drawing one of their other three matches.
However, whilst the refereeing omens are good for Sunderland this weekend, David Moyes’ side are on a woeful run of form and seem destined for relegation.
The Black Cats sit ten points from safety, although they do have a game in hand, and are a whopping 16 points behind West Ham heading into the weekend’s fixtures.
