Premier League Betting: Fulham v Sunderland

17Nov 2012

Premier League

Feizal Rahman explains why he thinks Sunderland can hold Fulham to a draw at Craven Cottage on Sunday...

Fulham v Sunderland, KO: Sunday 16:00, Sky Sports 1,

Fulham 1.72, Sunderland 5.7, The Draw 4.0

Struggling Sunderland make the journey south to face Fulham at Craven Cottage this Sunday. While this may not appear to be a Premier League blockbuster worthy of the

TV cameras, both teams will be going into this game eager to find some winning form that has eluded them of late.

Fulham will be without the suspended Chris Baird while the injured Mahamadou Diarra and Kieran Richardson are sidelined. Sunderland could welcome back captain, Lee

Cattermole, though Steven Fletcher and Phil Bardsley should miss out, while Craig Gardner serves a one-game ban.

Match Odds

Martin Jol's side are ticking along nicely as they aim to build upon last season's ninth-place finish. However, their current stake for a European spot might have been

better served without the four draws that they've played out in their last five league contests.

A point at the Emirates last week gave an indication of the level the west Londoners can perform at on the road but it's their home form that has impressed with 10

points from five games - the champions, Manchester City, the only side to beat Fulham at the Cottage in the last nine.

Sunderland, meanwhile, are displaying relegation form with four defeats and no wins in the last six. Yet, on their travels, Martin O'Neill's men have lost only at

Manchester City and Everton - managing to take a point at Stoke, West Ham, Swansea and Arsenal.

The Black Cats haven't found much joy along the banks of the Thames in recent years with just one win in eight Premier League encounters at Fulham. However, the

Cottagers have taken maximum points in only two of the last five meetings.

Sunderland looked much improved last week at Everton and should they put in a similar performance, they may well spoil Fulham's afternoon. It may pay to back to the

Draw at 4.0 or oppose the home side with a lay at 1.72. Sunderland are also 2.3 with a +0.5 Asian handicap.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Fulham have averaged over two goals per game at home this term and conceded just four times. For Sunderland, however, goals have been an issue with just seven scored -

fewer than any other top flight club. Conversely, the Wearsiders have been exceptionally tight in defence, conceding just 11.

Seven of Sunderland's 10 league fixtures this campaign have seen a maximum of two goals though all but one of Fulham's top flight contests have seen at least three.

However, six of the last eight meetings between these two sides have seen one goal or fewer with four of those goalless draws.

According to Opta, Sunderland have managed just two strikes in those previous eight encounters and given their struggles to find the net this term, Under 2.5 Goals

should appeal at 2.1 with Under 1.5 Goals 4.2. A 0-0 Correct Score is available at 14.0 and a 1-1 final result on offer at 9.0.

Other Markets

Sunderland have trailed at the break just once on the road this season, indicating how tough they remain to break down. The half-time draw trades at 2.3 with a 0-0

half-time score available to back at 3.1. The Draw/Draw result offers possible value at 6.0.

Opta point out that in the last four meetings, the two teams have been well behaved with just four cautions between them. With serial offenders, Chris Baird and Craig

Gardner, missing for either side, Under 25pts in the total bookings points market could tempt at around 2.2.

For those playing the goalscorer markets, Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov is the obvious choice to break the deadlock at around 5.7. Yet, Opta note that

Sunderland's Louis Saha - 5.0 to score - has previously hit six past his former club and has never been on the losing side against them.

Recommended Bets

Back The Draw @ 4.0

Back under 2.5 Goals @ 2.1

Back Under 25pts Total Bookings Points @ 2.2