SUNDERLAND v DERBY COUNTY
Friday 4th August 2017 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – England – Championship Betting Tips
Sunderland start life in the Championship with a Friday night fixture against Derby County at the Stadium of Light following last season’s disastrous campaign in the Premier League which ended in relegation down to the English second tier.
Former manager, David Moyes, departed at the end of the season with his tail firmly between his legs, and he’s been replaced by former Preston North End manager, Simon Grayson who now has the unenviable task of lifting the Black Cats back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
This seems an impossible task, particularly as their leading goalscorer from last season, Jermaine Defoe, has since moved to Bournemouth, and although they’ve picked up Vaughan from Bury, McGeady from Everton and Grabban on loan from Bournemouth, they’re not of the calibre required to make a serious claim for automatic promotion.
Visitors Derby County have reason to be optimistic about this new Championship season as they start the new campaign with manager Gary Rowett in his first full season at the club, following his inexplicable sacking by former club Birmingham City midway through last season.
Rowett now has a point to prove, and although they sold midfielders Hughes to Watford and Ince to Huddersfield Town, they’ve also made some shrewd signings in the shape of defenders Wisdom from Liverpool and Davies from Hull City, along with fellow Tigers midfielder, Huddlestone.
Add a potent forward line that comprises of Nugent, Bent, Vydra, Russell and Martin, and The Rams possess a squad capable of making a serious challenge for at least a play-off spot, if not promotion. They’re one of my picks for a top six finish this term.
I think this will be a tight and low-scoring affair at the Stadium of Light.
Pick: Under 2.5 @ 1.75 bwin
