Sunderland V Portsmouth Betting – Saturday 12th December

Sunderland V Portsmouth

Saturday 12th December – 15:00 GMT

Sunderland

League Position: 10th

Recent League Form: DLWLL

After a very bright start to the campaign, Sunderland have hit a serious flat spot and have now lost three of their last four games in the Premiership. Steve Bruce has touched on Sunderland’s inconsistent nature on several occasions but it appears Sunderland are becoming far too familiar with defeats, an unwanted form of consistency, and it will be down to Steve Bruce to lift the troops in a very winnable game and a match that Sunderland will be firm favourites to win, despite their lull in form.

It wasn’t so long ago that Sunderland were reaping all the plaudits with victories over Liverpool & Arsenal, while their performance at Old Trafford against the current champions, Man Utd, left many pundits, us included, in complete awe. However, the players at the club have failed to push on and have consequently paid a heavy price. Since taking four points from games with Liverpool (1-0) and Man Utd (2-2), Sunderland have since managed just the solitary win in six outings in the league, although that win just summarises how inconsistent the Black Cats are, beating Arsenal 1-0 at The Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have only managed the one win in six but what’s more disturbing is reading that they’ve lost four of their previous six games. However, as appalling as that fact sounds, all did come away from their beloved Stadium of Light and Sunderland are actually unbeaten at home in six games. In fact, only Chelsea, the current league leaders, have beaten Sunderland at home this season, which just shows how strong Sunderland have been at home thus far. 5-1-1 is their win-draw-lose ratio at home this season and that’s outstanding from a club that were on the verge of relegation last term.

The Stadium of Light has been a welcomed retreat for Sunderland this season as they’ve often been handed a home fixture to bounce straight back after an away defeat. Sunderland lost at the weekend, their sixth away defeat of the season, but when Sunderland have played at home immediately after suffering an away defeat, they’ve followed it up with a home victory on all but one occasion. Four of Sunderland’s five victories at home have come off the back of a disappointing away defeat and that has to be a good omen after enduring a bad day at Fulham last time out.

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

                                                    Recent League Form: WLLLW

Portsmouth will do just about anything to get their hands on some points but they’ve found life very tough on the road this season and will do well to avoid defeat if their away record of 1-1-5 is anything to go by. However, Pompey did register just their third win of the season last Saturday, a 2-0 home win over Burnley, so perhaps that victory will kick start their season, although we’ve said that after their other two wins and they failed to push on and build up momentum on both occasions. They blown our trust right out of the water and for that reason alone, we won’t be touching Portsmouth this Saturday.

Portsmouth formbook is filled with defeat after defeat but they did notch up a rare win in their last encounter, a 2-0 win over a poor travelling Burnley. The result was very good as it now leaves Portsmouth just four points off safety, but the performance was far from satisfactory, which is ironic as Portsmouth have generally played very well this season but have lost in vein. On Saturday, Portsmouth played probably the poorest they’ve played all season and yet came away with all three points.

Perhaps the southern tide is turning in Pompey’s favour as Burnley dominated the opening hour or so and should have scored several in the opening 45 minutes. However, for once this season, Portsmouth rode their luck and finally secured another win, their third of the season. With Avram Grant now at the helm, the fans are starting to become more optimistic about their chances of avoiding the relegation but away from home, when Portsmouth don’t have the support of a home crowd, they have struggled and have lost on their previous two away outings. They’ve also gone three away games without a win and we think that run will get extended after their visit up north.

Portsmouth do create chances wherever they play, that hasn’t been a problem, but converting them has. Portsmouth not only have the worst offensive record in the league, scoring just 13 goals, but they also have the unwanted honour of the worst away offence, also, managing a lethargic 3 away goals all season. Aruna Dindane can take the main brunt of the blame as he misses chance after chance in every game, even penalty’s now. He did score Portsmouth’s second on Saturday but not after 100 failed attempts and if Avram Grant doesn’t delve into the transfer market during January for a striker, Portsmouth league woes will continue and an early relegation could beckon.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Sunderland W: 1    Portsmouth W: 5    Draw: 0

Their fortunes may have turned for the worse this season but Portsmouth still hold all the aces over Sunderland, a side they’ve beaten on no less than five occasions in the Premiership, with Sunderland managing just one win in return. The last three meetings between the two have gone the way of Pompey, although just one of those came at The Stadium of Light, while Sunderland fans have to look back to the 2007/2009 season for Sunderland’s last home success over Portsmouth in the league.

In the six encounters, Portsmouth have managed twice as many goals, outscoring Sunderland by 12-6.

Match Verdict: Sunderland to WIN – 1.80 Bet365

Portsmouth may dominate the head-to-head between the two but they lack the sort of quality Sunderland have at their disposal and we expect the Black Cats to prevail on Saturday for the first time in three meetings. Also, Sunderland have an uncanny knack of responding well to away defeats when returning back home and this does look their easiest chance of the lot to reply with another home win, what would be their fifth of the season. Portsmouth aren’t without a glimmer of hope, though, they will need to take the few chances that arise, something which isn’t likely to happen.

Match Odds:

Sunderland – 1.80 Bet365

Draw – 3.50 Boylesports

Portsmouth – 5.00 PaddyPower

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Both teams to score – 1.95 WilliamHill