Sunderland vs Brighton predictions: Expect more chills than thrills in mid-table clash
Steve Davies
Sunderland lost 1-0 at Port Vale in the FA Cup
Albion have had 10 days off since a 1-0 loss to Arsenal
Recommended bet: Under 1.5 Goals
Sunderland have hit the 40-point mark on their return to the Premier League while Brighton are a win away from doing the same.
Two teams who are stuck in mid-table and are set to stay there clash at the Stadium of Light hoping to lay on a better show than when they met at the Amex Stadium in December, a game that fizzled out into a 0-0 draw.
Team news
Noah Sadiki and Trai Hume, suspended for last weekend's FA Cup tie at Port Vale, come straight back in.
Brian Bobbey and Reinildo could both figure after returning to training though Nordi Mukiele will do well to make the bench. Melker Ellborg will stay in goal with Robin Roefs crocked.
Lewis Dunk has returned to training after a niggle though is not guaranteed a recall after Olivier Boscagli performed well in the 1-0 loss to Arsenal.
Kaoru Mitoma is a major doubt after limping off against Arsenal and Solly March, just back after a 10-month lay-off, is also struggling.
The latest Sunderland vs Brighton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Sunderland have conceded only 13 goals in 14 top-flight home games - only Arsenal and Man City have shipped fewer goals on home soil.
Brighton have won only two of their last nine matches though they did win their most recent away game, a 2-0 success at Brentford.
Sunderland's matches average a league-low 2.21 goals a time.
The Seagulls have been shown 72 yellow cards in the Premier League this season, second in number only to Spurs (74).
Prediction
It is mission accomplished for Sunderland, who have made 40 points to all but guarantee another tilt at the Premier League next season.
Brighton are almost there, on 37 points, and given the absence of life from many of the clubs below them, they should be confident there will be no end-of-season scares.
That means both these sides can take off the brake and have a go at the Stadium of Light with the pressure off.
What has unfolded over recent weeks, however, suggests that might not be the case and a repeat of the 0-0 draw at the Amex in December cannot be ruled out.
The total goals market is certainly worth a look and instead of taking odds-on under 2.5, take a chance on the 9/4 that there are under 1.5 goals on Wearside.
Four of Sunderland's last six matches have produced 1-0 scorelines and they do not look quite as sharp as they did back in the autumn, understandable given the effort they put in trying to defy survival odds.
And Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler appears to be falling out of favour with Seagulls' supporters who have seen his side struggling for goals or wins. They have failed to score in four of their last six assignments.
Back Under 1.5 Goals @ 9/4 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Sunderland vs Brighton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
