Sunderland v Portsmouth

Sunderland vs Portsmouth Preview

Sunderland registered what could prove to be a vital three points against Sheffield United last time out in the Championship when the Black Cats secured a 2-1 home win against their promotion rivals which in turn has closed the gap on second placed Burnley to just a two-point margin.

Portsmouth lifted themselves out of the bottom three of the Championship table with a resounding and comprehensive 4-0 victory over Swansea City on home soil at Fratton Park and the south coast club will be hoping they can build upon that encouraging result up in the north-east on Sunday afternoon.

Sunderland's recent 2-1 win ended a two-game winless run in the Championship which saw Regis Le Bris's side draw 2-2 away from home at Blackburn Rovers before slipping to a disappointing 1-0 defeat away from home at Stoke City.

However, results overall in the Championship have been extremely promising for the Black Cats as the hosts have been handed just two defeats in their last 18 matches overall, picking up eight wins in the process.

In addition, Sunderland still remain unbeaten at home in this season's Championship campaign, picking up eight wins in their 12 home games while goals may also feature as five of Sunderland's last 10 home games have resulted in Over 2.5 goals.

Portsmouth bounced back from two away defeats on the trot last time out in the English second tier when the south coast club thrashed Swansea City 4-0 which has also helped John Mousinho's side move out of the relegation zone and up into fourth from bottom place.

Pompey had previously been handed losses on the road at Watford and Bristol City in 2-1 and 3-0 defeats respectively but nevertheless, Portsmouth have staged something of a recovery in recent times in the Championship as the visitors have collected four wins within their previous nine games overall.

It is worth noting however, that each of these four wins (Preston NE, Bristol City, Coventry City and Swansea City) were all achieved on home soil at Fratton Park while results away from home have been far less convincing.

Indeed, Portsmouth have managed to capture just one win from their 12 outings on the road so far this season along with being dealt seven defeats along the way; in addition, goals also look set to feature as no fewer than nine of Pompey's 12 away games to date have also produced three goals or more.

Sunderland v Portsmouth Verdict

Three out of the last five previous meetings have resulted in Over 2.5 goals while Sunderland have picked up three wins in the last four encounters against their south coast visitors, and the hosts look the more likely here as well.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80

Other side bets worth considering:

Sunderland win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.25

Correct Score: Sunderland 3-0 @ 10.00