Premier League betting – Manchester City v Sunderland

Manchester City v Sunderland betting odds, tips & free bets

Manchester City: League Position: 4th, League Form: WLDWL

Champions League chasing City go into the last eight matches of the season with their fate in their own hands. Outdo Tottenham from here and they guarantee their presence in Europe’s elite club competition.

City have taken 16 out of 18 points from their last six home matches. However, they have won just one of their last four league games. They’ve also kept 13 clean sheets this season, joint most in the league. They’ll need all their defensive stability and strength their own stadium gives them with captain, top scorer and all round best player Carlos Tevez doubtful for the game. Without him they are left with misfiring Edin Dzeko and unpredictable Mario Balotelli vying to play in his absence.

Other injury news sees both Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng ruled out for the immediate future after picking up injuries on international duty. Paolo Zabaleta has returned from compassionate leave and should fill the gap.

Sunderland: League Position: 9th, League Form: LLLDL

In season’s gone by being in 9th place with eight games to go would mean a team was clear of relegation. After beating Blackpool at the back end of January, Steve Bruce was probably sure his side were safe too. But one point in their past six games, away at Arsenal, has left them looking over their shoulders. Luckily for them, being six points clear of the relegation spaces this season is a big total, whereas usually they’d be right in the scrap.

Where have things gone wrong for Sunderland then? They have won once since Darren Bent was sold to Aston Villa, and have failed to score in their past three games. Was Bent that important to Sunderland? Six goals scored in the seven games since his departure suggests so.

Asamoah Gyan, scorer of Ghana’s equaliser against England midweek, easily fooling Manchester City defender Lescott before stroking a finish past City goalkeeper Hart, needs to find form and goals to bring some momentum to his side’s end to the season. Two or three more defeats on the bounce and Bruce’s team is thrown into the relegation dogfight with little going for his side.

Match Prediction: Manchester City Win – 1.53 William Hill

Sunderland’s poor form makes them a difficult prospect to back, and their lack of goals, they have only managed 37 goals in their 33 league and cup games, fewer than any other Premier League club, combined with City’s stubborn defensive style means it’s hard to see the visitors scoring.

One of their better players this season, loan-signing Nedum Onouha, is also ineligible to play against parent club Manchester City, leaving them thin at the back.

Mancini’s side may be lucky to face Sunderland whilst their opponents are on such a bad run, as City are a much blunter weapon without Carlos Tevez up front. However, they should be able to deal with Sunderland, especially at home, and are unlikely to open up their play enough to give the Black Cats too many chances.

If you fancy Sunderland to score then it’s hard to look past Gyan repeating his midweek trick of scoring past Joe Hart. First Goalscorer possibilities are tight with City’s attacking line up and intent an unknown. Value could come in the form of freekick taker and powerful left footer Kolarov.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Under 2.5 Goals – 1.95 Stan James
First Goalscorer: Aleksandr Kolarov – 15.00 Sky Bet
Correct Score: 2-0 Manchester City – 7.5 William Hill
To Score: Asamoah Gyan – 4.00 ExtraBet

By Chris Wilkerson

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