Stoke v Sunderland predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Stoke v Sunderland predictions Premier League England, England	27/10/2012 16:00	full time result	Draw	3.40	Bet at Skybet
Betting prediction was written by Matt

Stoke v Sunderland predictions and preview: Betting stats

Stoke are 13^th in the Premier League with 8 points from their opening 8 games at a record of W1 D5 L2. Their form is inconsistent at DLWDL and at home they have faced some difficult opposition but have performed well with draws against Man City and Arsenal followed by a win against Swansea. Their games have been low scoring with just 2 seeing over 2.5 goals, 6 with fewer, at an average of 2.13 goals a game.

Sunderland sit just one place lower than their opponents on goal difference but have played one game fewer this season and have a fairly similar record of W1 D5 L1. Their form is equally patchy at DDWLD and away from home they are also performing at a reasonable level with draws against Arsenal, Swansea and West Ham followed by a resounding defeat against Man City.

Sunderland came out on top in the corresponding fixture last season 0-1 and beat Stoke 4-0 at the Stadium of Light last September.

Team News and Run of Play

Neither team are particularly troubled with injuries at the moment with just Glenn Whelan missing with a hamstring injury for Stoke and Titus Bramble with a hip injury for Sunderland.

Stoke have performed well against some top teams recently, not least last weekend giving Man Utd a real scare, taking the lead and troubling their defence before eventually going down 4-2 at Old Trafford, just their second loss of the season. Draws against Arsenal and Man City are admirable results and they seem to set up in a certain way against the big sides.

Sunderland got through a tempestuous derby match against Newcastle last weekend and they only just secured a draw against their 10-men rivals through a late Demba Ba own goal. It’s safe to say they are creating very little and that was shown by their inability to force many chances despite the numerical advantage. It has been the story of the season so far as they are the lowest scoring team in the league.

These two sides have seen the lowest average goals and tend to be relying on one or two players to get their goals. Both are draw specialists and see them as a point gained rather than two points dropped, especially against the big sides or away against mid-table rivals. I can see this game being slow and fairly uneventful but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a few meaty challenges as these sides have tough-tackling centre midfielders.

Stoke v Sunderland predictions: 1X2 betting preview

For me, when the two draw specialists in a league come face-to-face it’s rarely a draw, but I can’t look beyond it in this game. Stoke at Even money probably isn’t great value on their form so I would favour the draw here at 3.40 with Skybet. Both teams seem to lack the ability to close out wins and are struggling for goals.

Stoke v Sunderland predictions: Asian Handicap preview

All things considered, the Sunderland (+0.5) price of 1.943 with Pinnacle looks a bet. If the match is stalemate or a Sunderland win, you win at those odds and I think it represents good value if you slightly favour Sunderland beyond the draw.

If you fancy Sunderland to maybe nick the win, bet here.

Stoke v Sunderland predictions: Total Goals preview

The two lowest scoring teams playing one another suggests few goals. Stoke’s home games and Sunderland’s away games combined average just below 2 goals a game so I think the match almost seems destined to be a 1-1 draw. My bet here is under 2.5 goals.

If you also can’t see goals in this tie, back it here with BetVictor at 1.67.