Swansea v Sunderland: Poyet ready to fire up the Black Cats

Gus Poyet’s Sunderland reign gets underway with a trip to face a Swansea side against whom they have an excellent record in recent seasons.

All eyes will be on the Uruguayan as he takes to a Premier League dugout for the very first time and looks to turn around his new sides’ fortunes.

Bottom of the table with only one point to their name, not many will give the Wearside club a “Black Cat” in hell’s chance against an ever-improving Swansea outfit, but Poyet will be hoping new manager syndrome strikes.

The former Brighton boss has been on the winning side on all four of the previous occasions he’s been on the touchline for his first game in charge as either a manager or coach.

Also weighing in Poyet’s favour is the fact that Sunderland enjoy an excellent record against the Swans, having never lost to them in the Premier league era.

Added to the fact Michael Laudrup’s side are on a run of eight successive home games without victory, a price of 9/2 with Ladbrokes for an away victory is tempting.

Elsewhere, Sunderland have been handed a major boost by the return to fitness of striker Steven Fletcher.

The Scottish international is back in contention after injuring his shoulder against West Brom earlier in the season and is the ideal man to take advantage of the absence of Ashley Williams and Ben Davies in the Swansea defence.

With Poyet refusing to confirm whether the 26-year-old will be in his starting line-up, it might be worth holding back for the team news, but 7/1 for Fletcher to score the first goal could be a sensible selection.

If you are looking for an Anytime Goalscorer, the Scot, who has notched three goals in as many games against the Swans, is 9/4 to strike once again.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.