Sunderland v Liverpool
Wednesday 30th December, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 1
Wednesday 30th December, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 1
Sunderland
In a strange sort of way, Sunderland's recent run of poor form might do them some long-term good. Earlier this week in his pre-match press conference Sam Allardyce stressed that he would be looking to strengthen his squad in January, but interestingly he also said that following back-to-back wins against Palace and Stoke he had thought that maybe he wouldn't need to do so. And so it is perhaps a blessing in disguise that the squad's deficiencies have been reconfirmed ahead of the transfer window.
It's no secret that Big Sam will look to strengthen defensively first and foremost; no team in the division has conceded more goals and all three wins from the Black Cats in the Premier League this season have come when they've kept clean sheets - it's abundantly clear what they need to do more of if they are to turn this around.
One gets the feeling that the Black Cats are now just content to muddle their way through their brutal set of festive fixtures and anything that they take from this game would be an absolute bonus. The weekend's game against Aston Villa is surely now a huge priority.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp's honeymoon period is well and truly over now and the recent 3-0 loss at Watford was as bad a performance as any we saw under Brendan Rodgers earlier in the season. Saturday's 1-0 win against a rampant Leicester side was, however, much improved and they'll be confident of making it back-to-back wins this midweek.
If Liverpool fans haven't already then it's fair to now conclude that they need to stop hankering for a time when Daniel Sturridge will be injury free for a sustained period of time. Christian Benteke's goal against the Foxes at the weekend was a timely one and now the Belgian must stand up and start delivering some returns on his big price tag.
The weekend win also provided a rare clean sheet for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, but nevertheless his confidence must be at an extremely low ebb. Klopp dropped the Belgian stopper to the substitute's bench for the defeat to Watford but with Adam Bogdan proving even more inept Mignolet was quickly reinstated. Nevertheless, it appears that his day's as Liverpool's first choice 'keeper are numbered.
Match Odds
There's no doubting that Sunderland are a better team on their own patch than they are away from home. Of the 37 goals that they've conceded this season, only nine have been at theStadium Of Light, while eight of their 12 points have been earned on the banks of the river Wear. That said, it's difficult to make a case for the Black Cats picking up all three points here, even at odds of 5.80.
I'm also reluctant to get too heavily invested in this Liverpool side at odds of 1.71 given the way they have performed over the last month. The hyperbole surrounding Klopp's appointment has now worn off and what is left is a team that is still a long way from where they want to be. Goals remain a problem and defensive lapses still cost them games.
Have a couple of quid on the draw at odds of 4.00 if you must play on the Match Odds, but for me it's a market to be sidestepped.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Sunderland have scored against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City on their travels over the festive period and I'm expecting them to find the back of the net against this fragile Liverpool defence, too.
But if Liverpool's defence can be described as fragile then Sunderland's is already shattered into a thousand pieces. Gaping holes at the back and individual errors present the opposition with numerous chances per game and even this goal-shy Liverpool side can expose the Black Cats'deficiencies.
Goals should ensue and at odds of 2.06 the value is certainly in the Over 2.5 Goals selection here.
Both Teams To Score?
Sunderland have only failed to score in three of 10 games since Allardyce took charge, and despite their struggles are at least getting goals from various sources. Fabio Borini now has two in his last two and Jermain Defoe has seven for the season.
Liverpool are of course without Daniel Sturridge again, but Benteke's return to the scoresheet at the weekend is a welcome boost and they have plenty enough firepower in midfield to breach this Sunderland backline. Take the 2.00 about Yes in the Both Teams To Score market with some degree of confidence.
Recommended Bets
2points Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.06
2points Back Both Teams To Score @ 2.00
