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Friday night sees live EFL Championship action as play-off chasers Sunderland and Hull City meet at the Stadium of Light.
Just one point separates the two sides heading into the game but the vibes are different. Sunderland fans are concerned about the direction of the club and the appointment of Michael Beale hasn’t helped, especially with performances falling short over recent weeks.
Liam Rosenior and Hull City look to be on the right path and have gone big in January with the addition of Fabio Carvalho on loan. A second string XI were knocked out of the FA Cup in midweek and they do have injuries to contend with, making this an interesting affair.
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SUNDERLAND VS HULL PREDICTED LINEUPS
Beale has a choice to make in attack
With Patrick Roberts and Bradley Dack still missing, the main decision for Michael Beale centres around the attack and who supports Jack Clarke, Jobe Bellingham and Alex Pritchard. Abdoullah Ba started in the defeat at Ipswich so Nazariy Rusyn could replace him. Otherwise, the team is likely to be pretty settled, especially with Aji Alese back to full fitness.
Hull missing plenty
Liam Rosenior would love to have a largely fit first XI available to him. Unfortunately, he has lost Scott Twine, who has joined Bristol City on loan, Aaron Connolly has a concussion while Liam Delap and Jaden Philogene won’t be back for a while. Fabio Carvalho should start with Jason Lokilo and Billy Sharp expected to join him in attack.
SUNDERLAND VS HULL TEAM STATS
Sunderland struggling of late
The ill-feeling towards the appointment of Michael Beale hasn’t been helped by back-to-back losses and generally poor displays. They have created less than 1 xG in each of their last four in all competitions and managed 10 or fewer shots in those games. They have also conceded four or more shots on target in five of their last six, albeit they have allowed 1 xG or fewer in four of their last five at home.
Hull full of goals recently
Hull City have tried to be an outfit of control but changes amid injuries have led to them being a little more open of late. Both sides have scored in five of their last six overall and five of their last six at home. They have taken four or more shots on target in 11 of their last 12 and five or more in 10 while conceding four or more shots on target in eight of their last ten and each of their last ten away from home.
SUNDERLAND VS HULL SHOTS AND SHOTS ON TARGET stats
Clarke the primary threat
Everything Sunderland do is in aid of getting Jack Clarke as close to the opposition goal as possible. He has managed two or more shots in 15 of his last 16 matches and three or more in 11 of those. He has also managed a shot on target in his last five – you can back him at 1.3 to find the target. Alex Pritchard has had two shots in his last three starts – he may be worth backing at 1.44 to find the target if he starts.
Hull attack quite fun
Fabio Carvalho started his first game for Hull City last weekend and had four efforts at goal. He’s clearly going to be the star with others missing at present and is one to keep an eye on. Ozan Tufan is the only player likely to start in the front four that has been a consistent figure this term and he’s 1.91 to have a shot on target, something he has done over once per 90 minutes.
SUNDERLAND VS HULL GOALS AND ASSISTS stats
Black Cats relying on Clarke
As noted above, Jack Clarke is the main man for Sunderland and the player they want on the ball as much as possible in the final third. Despite his team struggling of late, he is doing his bit, contributing to a goal in his last four Championship matches and you can back him to do that again at 1.91 – that could be especially noteworthy with Hull conceding in five of their last seven.
New penalty taker for Hull?
Ozan Tufan now has seven goals for the campaign and part of the reason is that he has been on penalty kick duty. His seven goals make him the second top goalscorer expected to be on the pitch so 4.5 is a decent price. Billy Sharp should lead the line and may take the reins from 12 yards if the opportunity arises. The ultimate poacher, he’s available at 3.4.
SUNDERLAND CARDS AND FOULS stats
Sunderland’s defence love a card
It’s quite surprising that 13 players are deemed more likely to pick up a yellow card than Dan Ballard, despite the centre-back picking up a whopping nine for the season to date. He’s available at 3.6 to be booked while Trai Hume, who has seven yellows, is available at 4.2. The full-back has committed a foul in nine of his last 11 and two or more in six. Jobe Bellingham has fouled in six of his last eight.
Trai Hume is an interesting shout here given he’ll be up against Jason Lokilo, who has been fouled around three times per 90 minutes. He has been fouled in every start he has made and twice or more in five of his six league starts. Jack Clarke has a penchant for a foul, meaning Lewie Coyle will be ready to draw a free kick having been fouled in eight of his last nine.
HULL CARDS AND FOULS stats
Greaves a regular card-getter
Like Sunderland, Hull have a centre-back who gets drawn into bad decisions often. Jacob Greaves has now picked up eight bookings for the campaign and the Sunderland forwards will be licking their lips. Curiously, Ozan Tuzan has been booked in three of his last four outings, perhaps frustrated at a change in position.
Lewie Coyle will have his work cut out against Jack Clarke, the winger has been fouled in 24 of 29 matches in all competitions across the campaign and twice or more in 19 of those. Jobe Bellingham has been fouled in his last six and twice or more in five of those – he’s been fouled twice or more in 16 of his last 21 starts. Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien are in on the act, drawing fouls with regularity as well.
SUNDERLAND VS HULL BET BUILDER TIPS AND PICKS OF THE PACK
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Sunderland vs Hull City
19th January
kick off 20:00 Hull City 4+ Shots on Target
Hull have had 4 or more shots on target in 11 of their last 12 matches.
Sunderland have conceded 4 or more shots on target in 5 of their last 6 matches.
Over 1.5 Hull cardsSunderland have drawn 2 or more yellow cards in 24 of their 29 matches.
Hull have collected 2 or more cards in 4 of their last 6 away from home.
Hull have a number of players missing.
Billy Sharp 1+ shots on targetSunderland have conceded 4 or more shots on target in 5 of their last 6 matches.
Hull have created 5 or more shots on target in 10 of their last 12 matches.
Billy Sharp will lead the line and has had three shots on target in his last 2 appearances.
Trai Hume 1+ foulsHume has committed a foul in 9 of his last 12 matches.
He’s up against Jason Lokilo who has been fouled 2 or more times in 5 of his 6 Championship starts.
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