Sunderland vs West Brom: Hodgson in for another tough away day
Published:Steve Bruce’s preparations for this game haven’t exactly been straightforward.
Titus Bramble’s suspension by the Black Cats means they head into this game without their first choice centre-back, which is not what you need when you have won only one Premier League game this season.
However, with West Bromwich Albion mired in the relegation zone, the North East side should have enough to bag all three points…
Match odds
Sunderland head into this game on the back of a lacklustre 2-1 defeat away to Norwich City on Monday night that means their 4-0 rout of Stoke at the Stadium of Light the previous week is largely forgotten.
However, West Brom’s last away game was a 3-0 schooling at Premier League new boys Swansea City meaning they have won just three of their previous 14 away league games.
Sunderland can be backed at 6/5 to get the win this Saturday afternoon.
West Brom can’t be discounted though. They won a 3-2 thriller at Sunderland last season and have only been defeated twice on their previous six visits to the Stadium of Light.
The Baggies are 12/5 to get only their second win of the season and 9/4 to come away with a draw.
Goal markets
There has never been a goalless draw between these sides in the Premier League and, with Sunderland only failing to score twice in their previous nine league games, goals look likely.
West Brom have also only kept one clean sheet in their previous 22 away league games and – with last season’s game ending 3-2 to West Brom – backing over 2.5 goals at 10/11 looks worth a punt.
