There’s a big weight on Dick Advocaat’s shoulders as the Dutchman was quickly brought into the Stadium of Light to replace the sacked Gus Poyet. The Black Cats are hovering just above the drop zone, one point ahead of 18th placed Burnley heading into the weekend’s round of matches.
Poyet led Sunderland to just the four wins all season, along with having picked up 14 draws from their 29 matches played, a league high. With goals at a premium, with only Aston Villa having scored fewer than them this season, the big question is, can Advocaat keep a hold of Sunderland’s Premier League status?
Bet365 have rated Sunderland as a 5-6 quote to get at least 35 points and the same price to fall short of that figure, while Advocate’s men are 25-1 to finish above arch-rivals Newcastle.
The Black Cats are 8/14 with online betting site Bet365 to stay in the Premier League.
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short told the club’s website: “Dick has an incredible CV and vast experience of managing at the very highest level. We have one aim only now – to climb the table and everyone is fully focused on the task ahead of us.”
Advocaat, who will start off away to West Ham, added: “Sunderland is a big club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead. We must now concentrate on Saturday as a priority and I can’t wait to get started.”
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