Newly-promoted Sunderland are looking to continue their encouraging start to life back in the Premier League when they host an Aston Villa side in desperate need of a positive result.
Match News and Current Form
Sunderland have settled back into life in the top flight seamlessly, suffering defeat in just one of their four matches so far (W2, D1). Regis Le Bris’ men battled to a 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace last week, and that result sets them up nicely for a return home to the Stadium of Light where they’ve won their first two league matches this term. The Black Cats now have the chance to win their opening three top-flight home games of a season for the first time since 1965/66, while they’d become the first promoted side to do so in the Premier League since Burnley in 2009/10 with victory here.
Aston Villa may seem like ideal opponents given their miserable start to the season, with Unai Emery’s men failing to score in the Premier League this term (D2, L2). Their five-match goalless stretch in the league overall is the second-longest such run in club history, and another failure here would make Unai Emery’s side just the third in top-flight history to blank in their opening five league outings of a campaign. Villa were at least on target in midweek League Cup action, but were eventually knocked out on penalties by Brentford in another blow to morale.
Head-to-Head History
Sunderland have won only one of their last 12 league meetings against Villa (D5, L6), but that victory came in the most recent Premier League H2H in January 2016 (3-1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Sunderland have won exactly three corners in each of their last three league fixtures.
Sunderland’s four league games this term have produced just one goal before the hour mark.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in 15 Premier League games against promoted sides under Emery (W12, D3).
Just one of Villa’s last eight away league matches saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Both of Wilson Isidor’s goals this term have come beyond the 90th minute in home games and been the third strike of the match, while six of his last seven Sunderland goals have come after half-time. Opposite number Ollie Watkins will fancy breaking his duck here having been involved in 12 goals in his last nine Premier League games against promoted sides (G6, A6).
Sunderland remain without Dan Ballard, while Villa could be without Youri Tielemans after he missed their game against Brentford through injury.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Villa simply must break the shackles at some point, but Sunderland have proved dangerous this term, so backing over 3.5 goals against the odds could turn a nice profit.
Author: Ryan Fisher