Sunderland VS Middlesbrough Match Prediction

Middlesbrough have a decent record in this fixture, winning on three of their last six visits to Sunderland, and they won 1-0 on their last trip to the Stadium of Light in the FA Cup.

Prior to that, Sunderland were unbeaten in three at home to Middlesbrough and this is a game that tends to throw up plenty of goals, with 17 scored in the last six fixtures between the clubs.

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Sunderland v Middlesbrough: Prediction

The Black Cats will see this match as an ideal chance to get three points on the board, with Moyes taking charge of the club in front of their own fans for the first time in the league. But Middlesbrough started the campaign with a solid result and will want to stay unbeaten for as long as possible to boost their survival chances, so perhaps a draw is the most likely result here.

Sunderland v Middlesbrough: Betting Tips

Sunderland are the favourites for this Premier League match and they can be backed at 11/7 to get three points on the board and give Moyes a triumphant start to life at the Stadium of Light. Visitors Middlesbrough can be backed at 11/5 to get the points, but perhaps the best value from the match odds market is to back the draw at a price of 9/4.

Over 2.5 goals at 7/5 might be worth taking on given how entertaining this fixture tends to be, while both teams to score is also worth considering at evens and a 2-2 draw at 20/1 has to be up there among the selections for this match too.

Sunderland can take a lot of heart from their 2-1 loss at Manchester City last time out, with only Paddy McNair's late own goal on his debut consigning them to defeat against Pep Guardiola's men. Jermain Defoe was passed fit and scored Sunderland's goal, but David Moyes' injury list remains troubling, with Seb Larsson out of this match. Lynden Gooch was a surprise starter at the Etihad Stadium and probably did enough to keep his place in the team.

Sunderland likely XI:

An injury to big money signing Maarten de Roon marred Middlesbrough's 1-1 draw at home against Stoke City here, but Alvaro Negredo scored on his debut as one of the positives. Adam Forshaw looks favourite to come into the team for de Roon, while Viktor Fischer could also come into the Boro XI for this match.

Middlesbrough likely XI:

Derbies are always difficult to call but especially this early in the season with both teams still settling into the campaign. With neither club wanting to lose and give away bragging rights to their rivals, this could be a close game although there should be goals on show. A high-scoring draw looks to be the most likely result for this match.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Sunderland\'s last four games in the Premier League.