20:00 Monday

Middlesbrough vs Sunderland Match Stats

  • Both teams have hit the back of the net in all of the hosts home league games so far this term
  • The hosts have scored in all of their last six meetings at home to Sunderland
  • The visitors have scored in six of their last seven league away outings

 

Middlesbrough vs Sunderland Betting Tips

Betting Tip: Both Teams to Score

Middlesbrough arrive into the Tees-Wear derby off the back of another narrow defeat, this time away to Watford. It’s done little to get their promotion hopes back on track and it means they have now won just once across their opening Championship matches. However, form goes out of the window for a derby match and Boro will be right up for this one.

All of the three league games to take place at the Riverside Stadium have seen both teams hit the back of the net and it showcases the hosts' vulnerabilities and struggles.

Meanwhile, two of the ‘Black Cats’ away clashes have also seen both teams score and there is another subplot to this match as former Boro man Tony Mowbray has taken over the reins at the Stadium of Light.

His appointment raised a few eyebrows but his first match in charge saw him guide Sunderland to a 3-0 win over Rotherham United and he will be keen for his men to claim three points in this one.

My first play will be on both teams to hit the back of the net at this venue once again.

Betting Tip: Draw

Many expected the hosts to be fighting out for promotion at the top of the Championship table, but they haven’t had the start they wanted and they would like nothing more than to earn their second victory of the season in this match.

However, the visitors have managed to get on the scoresheet in all of their away games so far. It’s a small sample size but with it being a derby, you can expect a high-intensity clash with each side having their moments. 

Chris Wilder’s men have scored in all of their last five home matches, as well in all of their last six against Sunderland at this venue. But Sunderland are always a threat and I just don’t trust the backline of the hosts.

It’s tough to pick a winner and if the match state remains closely contested, both teams could settle for a draw and I think 11/4 on that pick is a good price. I’ll be playing half a point on this one to finish level.