Portsmouth v Sunderland Betting Preview

Gifting Manchester United a 5-0 win on Saturday, Portsmouth are running out of games and belief in avoid relegation. Failure to win at home to Sunderland and even the most optimistic Portsmouth fan would rule out survival I’m sure.

Portsmouth

Their was no self belief from Portsmouth as they went down heavily at Old Trafford on Saturday. Their was little marking or pressure on the ball either as Manchester United were allowed a lot of time on the ball. Darren Fletcher was given time to cross the ball into a free Wayne Rooney to head in the opening goal from a couple of yards out. David James should have claimed the ball but he was having a nightmare in goal, as was on display when he went down too early for Nani’s deflected shot and 2-0. Later, Dimitar Berbatov was able to walk in and around the penalty area with little pressure and he was allowed to add another goal to his tally for the season. Perhaps their mind was on this game as they know they need 3 points from it against a Sunderland side who are lacking belief themselves of late. There’s some big strikers Portsmouth may struggle to deal with without Younes Kaboul any more, and if their marking is as poor as it was on Saturday, expect Kenwyne Jones to get his name on the scoresheet again.

Last 5 games
WDLLL

Injuries/Suspensions
John Utaka
Aaron Mokoena
Tommy Smith
Hermann Hreidarsson
Papa Bouba Diop
Michael Brown

Sunderland

Kenwyne Jones could only head in an equaliser against Wigan at the weekend as Sunderland have now gone 11 Premier League games without a victory. And 1 in their last 15. Steve Bruce was aware he needed more goals from his team, but luring Benjani from Manchester City on loan for the rest of the season remains to be seen if it is a good decision. The former Portsmouth striker had just expressed his desire to fight for a first team place at Manchester City following his recall to the team following Roberto Mancini’s appointment. Will he give his all at Sunderland? And how many games will he start? He was only brought on as a very late substitute at the weekend. This poor run is getting Sunderland sucked into a relegation fight and defeat here would tighten things up at the bottom even more.

Last 5 games
LLLDD

Injuries/Suspensions
Kieran Richardson
John Mensah
Anton Ferdinand

Two teams lacking confidence and form could easily provide a dull draw. But both know they need to win this one. Unfortunately Portsmouth’s odds are too short to entice me.

Portsmouth to win 6/4

Draw 23/10

Sunderland to win 2/1