Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Predictions

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews in the Championship. On Saturday afternoon, Sunderland welcome Middlesbrough, aiming to strengthen their spot within the Championship’s top six. Who will prevail in the latest Tees-Wear Derby? Read more for our tips and predictions.

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Match Live Saturday, 7th October at 12:30 pm In:

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Predictions

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The Tees-Wear Derby Showdown

On a chilly Saturday afternoon, Sunderland are gearing up to host Middlesbrough in what promises to be a captivating Tees-Wear derby. Both teams are eyeing critical points, albeit for slightly different reasons. Sunderland wishes to fortify their position in the Championship’s top six, while Middlesbrough aims to ride the momentum they’ve built over their last three victories.

Recent Performances

Following a shaky start to the season marked by two defeats, Sunderland have shown considerable improvement. With six victories in their subsequent eight games, they’ve demonstrated both resilience and capability. Their home game against Cardiff City may have been a blip in their otherwise stellar form, but their subsequent victories, like the 3-0 triumph against Sheffield Wednesday and the 2-0 win against Watford, have proven their mettle. Statistically speaking, with only four goals conceded in their last eight games and having the third-best attacking record, Sunderland are emerging as formidable challengers this season.

Contrastingly, Middlesbrough had a lukewarm start. Failing to secure a win in their initial seven matches, they were slowly slipping into an uncomfortable territory. However, successive wins against Southampton, Watford, and Cardiff City have rejuvenated Michael Carrick’s side. Although just three points separate them from the relegation zone, their recent form indicates a team gaining confidence.

Player Insights

Injuries and potential lineup changes can play a significant role in the outcome of a match. Sunderland’s playmaker, Alex Pritchard, unfortunately, joins the injury list and is expected to be out till after the international break. On the brighter side, Tony Mowbray might start with the same XI who bested Watford, placing Mason Burstow in the limelight. However, Middlesbrough’s lineup might witness some tweaks. Carrick is deliberating changes, especially given the gravity of the match. The fitness and readiness of Darragh Lenihan, Jonny Howson, and Matt Crooks are in the spotlight.

Top Players to Watch:

• Sunderland: Jack Clarke (Midfielder, BettingTips4You Expert Rating: 7.78), Dan Neil (Midfielder, BettingTips4You Expert Rating: 7.35), and Daniel Ballard (Defender, BettingTips4You Expert Rating: 7.27).
• Middlesbrough: Daniel Barlaser (Midfielder, BettingTips4You Expert Rating: 7.13), Darragh Lenihan (Defender, BettingTips4You Expert Rating: 7.13), and Jonathan Howson (Midfielder, BettingTips4You Expert Rating: 7.08).

Predictions

1. Both Teams to Score

Rationale:

Sunderland and Middlesbrough are coming into this game with contrasting forms but with one commonality – an attacking instinct. Sunderland, sitting comfortably at the top of the league, have been a force to reckon with in terms of offensive power. They’ve netted an impressive 20 goals in 10 Championship games, showing their capability to find the back of the net against any opposition. Notably, they’ve only failed to score in two of these fixtures, which further solidifies their attacking prowess.

On the other hand, Middlesbrough, even though languishing in the 17th position, have demonstrated their ability to score consistently. They’ve found the mark in nine of their last 10 games. This resilience and fighting spirit mean that even against a strong side like Sunderland, they’ll likely be on the scoresheet.

Considering Sunderland’s defensive record, where they’ve conceded in four of their six home games across all competitions, it’s highly probable that Middlesbrough will capitalise on this. Hence, the “both teams to score” prediction is rooted in both teams’ recent offensive outputs and Sunderland’s occasional defensive lapses.

2. Correct Score: 2-1 in Favour of Sunderland

Rationale:

The Stadium of Light has been a fortress for Sunderland lately, with the team registering three wins in their last four home games. While they have been proficient in scoring, their defensive record indicates a likelihood of conceding a goal, given the four goals they’ve let in over their last six home matches.

On the opposite end, Middlesbrough have shown promise in their recent games, especially with their ability to score. However, considering Sunderland’s formidable home record and Middlesbrough’s inconsistent form this season, a 2-1 win for Sunderland seems a probable outcome.

3. Goalscorer: Jack Clarke

Rationale:

When analysing individual brilliance on the pitch, Jack Clarke stands out as Sunderland’s top performer. With a stellar average rating and leading the goal tally for his team with 7 goals, he’s in prime form. Given his recent performances and the magnitude of this match, the stage is set for Clarke to shine. Middlesbrough’s defence, which has conceded 17 goals in their 10 matches, might find it challenging to contain a player of Clarke’s calibre. Thus, betting on him to be among the goalscorers in this encounter is a justified prediction.

4. Corner Prediction: Sunderland to have more corners, Total Corners Over 10.5

Rationale:

Sunderland’s dominant style of play, especially at home, often sees them push the opposition into their half. This pressing playstyle results in a higher number of corner opportunities. With an average of 6.5 corners per game, Sunderland’s attacking intent is evident. On the flip side, Middlesbrough, with 6.4 corners per game, is not far behind, indicating their resilience and occasional attacking bursts.

Given the attacking nature of both teams and the importance of the game, we can expect a lot of action in the final thirds of the pitch. This will likely result in numerous corner opportunities. Therefore, predicting that the total corners in the game will be over 10.5 and Sunderland edging Middlesbrough in terms of corners won is a well-informed prediction.

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