Sunderland v Hull City Betting Tips

Saturday sees a big relegation six-pointer between Sunderland and Hull City who are placed in 20th and 18th respectively. Whilst they have both had poor campaigns so far, they both won last time out in the Premier League and will thus go into this tie with a bit of a confidence.

The pressure was really mounting on Sunderland boss David Moyes and it almost looked as though the relationship between the club and the manager was at breaking point. However, the Black Cats then managed to pull off a shock victory away at in-form Bournemouth. Perhaps the best part of that performance against the Cherries was Sunderland’s character. After going 1-0 down to a Dan Gosling goal in the 11th minute, Moyes’ team could have capitulated and lost by a cricket score, but instead rallied together and showed great character to come back and win 2-1.

Victor Anichebe was brought in for that match and showed great strength and resilience in Sunderland’s win. Whilst Sunderland’s survival chances still look slim, if they can show that sort of character every week then they may have a fighting chance.

Although the hosts are bottom of the table for a reason, they have picked up a bit in recent weeks. And not just with that victory against Bournemouth. They also managed to secure a precious point at home to West Bromwich Albion at the start of October. This was the last match at the Stadium of Light against what you would call ‘similar opposition’.

So, even though Sunderland have lost all of their other Premier League home matches this season, perhaps they are picking up a bit of confidence at home.

After an incredible August, Hull City had a nightmare up until their last match at home to Southampton which they shockingly won against the in-form Saints side. Just like Sunderland in their victory against Bournemouth, Hull showed great character to come back and win after going 1-0 down to Southampton in the sixth minute.

However, this result had been coming and there was evidence in their loss against Watford where Hull will feel they really should have taken at least a point away from Vicarage Road.

Having had such a good first month of the season, Hull City are not cut adrift towards the bottom of the Premier League and are indeed just one point off the survival spots. If the Tigers can take a point off of north east rivals Sunderland then that will be incredibly precious. Battling for survival is very much about taking points off the teams in and around you.

Whilst Hull will have had a boost to their confidence after beating Southampton, manager Mike Phelan will still be concerned about his leaky defence which has conceded 24 goals (the most in the top flight) and they’ve not kept a clean sheet since their win at Swansea back in mid-August. However, the return of Michael Dawson to the back-line has already made Hull look a lot less calamitous.

Overall I am not sure that the international break came at a convenient time for either of these teams as neither of them was able to back their win up straight away. That pause in league fixtures may well have killed the momentum.

As previously mentioned, Hull will be very pleased with a point away at Sunderland – a game which the Black Cats are undoubtedly seeing as a ‘must-win’. This match is likely to be very tense with neither side keen to open themselves up to any defensive lapses or mistakes whilst looking to score on the counter-attack.

Even though Sunderland are the favourites, Hull look the better side at the moment and I think they can achieve a positive result on Saturday, despite the home side’s recent win at Bournemouth. However, I am not expecting a win for the Tigers and feel this match has a tense draw written all over it. The odds on a stalemate are a very nicely-priced 12/5.

In terms of a spectacle, an early goal could really help this game come to life as it will force one of the teams to come out of their shell a bit more. However, I think this game will be far too cautious for that and so, as well as the full time draw, ‘Half Time Draw’, at 11/10, is another good selection.

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