Premier League preview and odds: Sunderland vs Watford

Published on: 16/12/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Sunderland vs Watford

December 17, 2016 15:00pm - Stadium of Light

Referee: R. Madley

Premier League

Rock-bottom Sunderland will look to haul themselves off the foot of the Premier League table when they face 11th-ranked Watford at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Meanwhile, a win for the visitors could lift them into the top 10.

Three defeats in last four for Sunderland

After a recent revival that put them back in touch with their relegation rivals, Sunderland seem to have hit another bump in the road. A run of four matches in which they won one but lost three without scoring a goal has returned them to the bottom of the pile.

To be fair to David Moyes` men, two of those matches came against the current top two (Chelsea and Liverpool). However, they also lost 3-0 away to direct rivals Swansea City.

Prior to the narrow defeat to Chelsea in midweek (0-1), the Black Cats won two in a row on home soil and will be hoping to pick up where they left off this weekend. They are currently four points adrift of safety with an inferior goal difference to the teams on 15 points.

Meanwhile, Watford are sat in 11th place on 21 points are looking good for a mid-table finish. Walter Mazzarri`s team are enjoying their second season back in the top flight and have managed to keep themselves clear of danger during both campaigns - despite a change of a management in the summer.

They impressed in their 3-2 win over Everton last weekend and were certainly not overwhelmed in their 2-0 defeat at Manchester City in midweek. However, they have lost their last three away games and are winless in four on the road.

Key stats

Sunderland have conceded at least one goal in all but one of their home matches this term.

Sunderland have scored 80% of their home goals in the second half.

Team news

Sunderland`s injury woes continue with Javi Manquillo (knock), Billy Jones (muscle), Steven Pienaar (knock), Victor Anichebe (knock), Duncan Whatmore (ACL), Lynden Gooch (ankle), Paddy McNair (knee), Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Lee Cattermole (hip) all out of action.

Meanwhile, the visitors will hope that Valon Behrami recovers from illness in time but will be without the injured group of Roberto Pereyra (muscle), Stefano Okaka (hamstring), Adrian Mariappa (knee), Brice Dja Djedje (foot) and Craig Cathcart (hernia).

Recent form (League):

Sunderland: LLWLW

Watford: LWLLW

Betting odds and tips

Sunderland have picked up seven points from their last five home matches and have shown signs of improvement.

However, in their five away games against teams outside of the top seven, Watford have lost just once.

You can back the Draw at 23/10 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 16/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (16/12/2016 10:55:33) but are subject to change.