Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Predictions

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews in the Championship. Sunderland host Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, looking to recover from their first Championship defeat of the season last weekend. Expect a competitive clash between the rivals. Read more for our tips and predictions.

Championship | Sep 21, 2024 at 12:30pm UK at Stadium of Light

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Predictions

Will the Tees-Wear Derby End in Deadlock?

• Sunderland’s Resilient Defence at Home: The Black Cats have conceded just 0.8 goals per game this season, showcasing their defensive solidity. However, their clean sheet record has been disrupted by defensive injuries, raising questions about their ability to keep Middlesbrough at bay.
• Middlesbrough’s Corner Dominance: Michael Carrick’s side have averaged 8.6 corners per game, the highest in the league. This statistic highlights their attacking intent, particularly from wide areas, which could be a key factor in this derby clash.
• Romaine Mundle’s Scoring Streak: The young midfielder has scored in three consecutive games for Sunderland, becoming a crucial part of their attack. His form will be pivotal if Sunderland are to secure a positive result against their local rivals.

Our Tips

The Stadium of Light is set to host a fierce encounter between Sunderland and Middlesbrough this Saturday, as both teams look to make a statement in this early-season Championship clash. Sunderland, after an excellent start to their campaign, suffered their first defeat last weekend, and they’ll be eager to get back on track against their local rivals. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, have had a more inconsistent start but will be buoyed by the prospect of building on their recent performances.

Sunderland, under the guidance of their new manager Regis Le Bris, have been impressive in the opening rounds. They claimed victories in their first four matches, scoring freely and demonstrating a solid defensive structure. However, their unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-2 defeat at Plymouth, where defensive lapses proved costly. Now sitting in second place, just a point off the top, the Black Cats will be keen to maintain their momentum and stay in contention for automatic promotion.

Middlesbrough, managed by Michael Carrick, have shown glimpses of their potential but have struggled to find consistency. With only one loss in their first five games, they’ve been difficult to beat but have also failed to capitalise on their dominance in matches, as evidenced by their recent 1-1 draw with Preston North End. Currently four points behind Sunderland, they’ll be aiming to close that gap with a positive result on Saturday. A win at the Stadium of Light could not only boost their league position but also provide a psychological edge over their rivals.

Best Bet: Draw

For this highly anticipated derby, the best bet appears to be a draw. Both teams have shown they are tough to break down, and with neither side wanting to lose ground in the league, a stalemate seems a plausible outcome.

Sunderland’s form has been impressive, particularly at home where they have looked formidable. They’ve averaged 2.4 goals per game this season, and despite their slip-up at Plymouth, their overall defensive record remains strong with only 0.8 goals conceded per match. However, the absence of key defenders like Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins could leave them vulnerable at the back.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have been resilient on their travels. They’ve conceded just four goals in five matches and managed to keep a clean sheet in two of their last three games. Their defence, led by Matt Clarke and George Edmundson, has been solid despite injury setbacks. The visitors’ ability to control possession, with a 56.2% average ball possession rate, suggests they can manage the game and limit Sunderland’s chances.

Moreover, the recent history between these two sides favours a draw. In their last five meetings at the Stadium of Light, three have ended with the points shared. Given both teams’ tendency to find the net and the defensive injuries impacting both sides, a 1-1 draw seems the most likely result. As BettingTips4You.com expert Herrin Kendrick highlights, “In derby games like this, caution often trumps ambition. Neither side will want to lose ground in the promotion race, making a draw the sensible choice.”

Second Prediction: Over 10.5 Corners

Given the attacking styles of both teams, a high number of corners seems likely. Sunderland have averaged 4.4 corners per game so far this season, while Middlesbrough have been even more prolific with 8.6 corners per match. The wide players from both sides, like Sunderland’s Patrick Roberts and Middlesbrough’s Isaiah Jones, frequently look to drive into the box, leading to deflected crosses and, subsequently, corners.

In their recent matches, the pattern of high corner counts has been evident. Sunderland’s clash with Plymouth saw 12 corners, and Middlesbrough’s last two away games each saw over 10 corners. With both teams likely to play on the front foot, pushing their full-backs high up the pitch, over 10.5 corners seems a strong prediction.

Correct Score Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough

Given the balanced nature of both teams’ form and the context of the match, a 1-1 draw is the most likely correct score. Sunderland, despite their attacking prowess, have shown vulnerabilities in defence, which Middlesbrough could exploit, especially with the pace and directness of players like Emmanuel Latte Lath and Finn Azaz.

On the other hand, Middlesbrough have struggled to convert their chances, with an xG of 9.6 producing only six goals so far this season. This inefficiency in front of goal could be their undoing again. Sunderland’s defence, despite its recent lapses, should be able to limit Middlesbrough to a solitary goal. Conversely, the Black Cats, with their attacking talent, will likely breach Boro’s defence at least once. A 1-1 result would reflect the evenly matched nature of these two sides.

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