Sunderland v Aston Villa Betting Preview – Championship 6th March 7.45pm
This is an important clash between two sides going in opposite directions in the Championship. Aston Villa are pushing on for promotion as they head into midweek action in third place, while Sunderland, in contrast, are rock bottom of the pile and five points away from safety. Both really need the three points, Villa will be favoured to get them.
Sunderland News and Form
Sunderland are in trouble at the foot of the table, four points away from safety and with having played a game more than most of those above them. The Black Cats have drawn their last two games against Middlesbrough and Millwall and they are looking for their first victory since a home win over Hull back on January 20th. That is their only win in their last ten league outings (D3 L6). At the Stadium of Light the Mackems are winless in three games now (D1 L2) and both defeats in that sequence were by a 2-0 scoreline. In the bet365 correct score market, an Aston Villa 2-0 is at 15/2 with the shortest priced option being the 1-1 draw at 11/2* (Betting Odds taken at 03:32 a.m. on March 5th, 2018). Sunderland have only won twice at home all season in the Championship (D6 L9) so it is hard to have much confidence in them pulling out one in this one against a top side. They are averaging a goal per game at home this season while they have managed a clean sheet in just 12% of their home fixture. They have conceded at least two goals in each of their last three league home games.
Aston Villa News and Form
Villa are going well with a commanding W8D1 L1 record posted in their last ten games in the Championship, winning 4-2 out at Sheffield Wednesday in their last game. Their game against QPR was called off on the weekend so they have had a good rest. Aston Villa have recorded a W8 D3 L6 season on their travels and have won four of their last five out on the road (L1). So they are going really well and three of their last four away wins have been by a 1-0 scoreline. The Villains have averaged 1.3 goals per game on their travels and they have been level at half time in nine of their road games. With Sunderland having been level at half time in eight home games, then a half time draw at Bet365 should have good appeal. Seven times this season Villa have been 0-0 at halftime away from home. 61% of the goals that Villa have conceded on the road have come in the second half of matches. Only the current top two have a better defensive record than Villa do in the Championship this season and they will be well in the mix to land three points in this one.
Sunderland v Aston Villa Head to Head
It was Villa who came out on top when the two met back towards the end of November. That meeting at Villa Park was the first league contest between them outside of the Premier League since the 1990/91 old English Division 1. Aston Villa are slightly ahead from recent meetings, having gone W2 D2 L1 against the Mackems. The last meeting at the Stadium of Light was in the 2016 Premier League which Sunderland won 3-1 but Sunderland are just W1 D1 L3 in their last five on home soil against Villa, losing three of their last four.
Sunderland v Aston Villa Betting Odds*
Aston Villa 21/20, Draw 5/2, Sunderland 3/1* (Betting Odds taken at 03:32 a.m. on March 5th, 2018)
Sunderland v Aston Villa Predictions
Back the efficient and strong Villa to get across the line in this game with three points in the bag. It will most likely be a low scoring affair, but Villa can sneak this one and the 1-0 correct score option in their favour looks good.
