Sunderland V Blackburn Rovers

English Premiership 2009/2010

Sunderland V Blackburn Rovers

Kick-Off: Saturday 22^nd August – 15:00 GMT

Venue: The Stadium of Light

A difficult fixture to call on paper as a Sunderland side now boasting a mouth-watering attack entertain Blackburn Rovers at The Stadium of Light in a match both sides will feel they could win. Sunderland still remain shaky at the back but boast an already on-song front line whereas Blackburn have still maintained their solid look but look very weak up top. The pair could very easily cancel each other out but Sunderland have looked very good in their opening two fixtures and Steve Bruce will be aiming to add more points to their tally.

Sunderland started the season brightly after victory away at Bolton. Darren Bent was the hero that day when he scored the only goal of the game and he was nearly the hero again when Sunderland took on Chelsea at The Stadium of Light last Tuesday. His goal in the 18^th minute shocked Chelsea into life and unfortunately spurred Ancelotti’s men onto victory. Sunderland’s defence didn’t really put up a fight while their midfield looked lost throughout most of the game, allowing Chelsea to dictate the play. A Chelsea victory was a formality in the end with Sunderland lacking the quality in the centre of the park to halt the force of the Chelsea midfielders.

Steve Bruce has bolstered the clubs options in the final third but they still lack quality both in midfield and in defence. Grant Leadbitter and Lee Cattermole were brought in over the summer in a bid to fix Sunderland’s midfield problems and the pair certainly put in a decent shift on Tuesday but they were made to look stupid by the Chelsea midfield while the ‘Black Cats’ defence looked shaky as soon as the second half kicked-off. Some reinforcements are needed in order to compete against the best teams in the country but Sunderland definitely posses a side capable of beating the lesser opponents and this will be a match they will be favourites in.

‘Big Sam’ always knew deep down that his job at the helm of Blackburn Rovers would be one of his toughest assignments to date. Rovers have had to let their biggest talent leave the club in Roque Santa Cruz, Sam’s received rather limited funds in return and the big guy has also struggled to find someone half-as-decent to fill Santa Cruz’s boots. Blackburn have now been left with a makeshift forward line and a midfield lacking in creativity. If it wasn’t for ‘Big Sam’ we would stick our mortgage on Blackburn flirting with relegation this season. They probably still will but at least they have a chance of avoiding this with a manager with real relegation experience in charge.

A 2-0 defeat in front of the Blackburn fans at Ewood Park was hardly the result the fans needed to lift their already faltering spirits but it was only what Rovers deserved. Blackburn actually had no qualms with making chances but it all goes back to their limited options in the final third with their finishing eventually letting them down. They’re now facing a team that boast several quality strikers and unless Rovers get their shooting boots on, more notably Jason Roberts who spurned several great chances on Saturday, then it’s hard to see anything but a home win.

Head-to-Head: Sunderland W: 3 Blackburn W: 4 Draws: 3

This fixture has generally been a close affair and this proved the case last season with Blackburn claiming a point away from home at the Stadium of Light. However, they then succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Ewood Park so consistency certainly isn’t the word of the day. A positive for the travelling fans is that Blackburn have won on two of their last three visits to Sunderland while Steve Bruce has to look all the way back in 2002 for Sunderland’s most recent home victory over Blackburn.

Match Verdict: Sunderland’s strikers to prove the difference in a home win for the ‘Black Cats’ – 11/10 BetFred

Our main reasoning behind picking Sunderland is their success in the attacking third in their opening two fixtures. Sunderland may have scored just twice in those two games but one England international by the name of Darren Bent is already proving one fine acquisition by Steve Bruce after scoring against both Bolton and Chelsea. Bent has a point to prove ahead of the forthcoming World Cup next year and we’re expecting a big year from Bent. He’s scored two in two and is 13/8 with Boylesports to make in three in succession against Blackburn on Saturday.

Match Odds:

Sunderland – 11/10 BetFred

Blackburn Rovers – 3/1 SKyBet

Draw – 12/5 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Tip: Darren Bent to Score Anytime – 13/8 Boylesports