Sunderland vs Swansea predictions: Black Cats to lighten the mood with a win

- Sunderland have won seven of their last 10 home games in the Championship
- Seven of Swansea's last 10 away matches have produced over 3.5 goals
- Recommended bet: Sunderland to Win & Both Teams to Score

Sunderland sacked manager Michael Beale this week after just a dozen matches in charge and they will be desperate for a positive result at the Stadium of Light.

Beale's fate was sealed by away defeats at Championship strugglers Huddersfield and Birmingham but the Black Cats have a solid home record and Saturday's visitors Swansea are in poor form themselves.

Former Notts County manager Luke Williams has had a tough start to his new job and the Swans have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions including a 5-0 FA Cup rout at Bournemouth.

Team news

Sunderland interim manager Mike Dodds is likely to be missing top goalscorer Jack Clarke, so Adil Aouchiche is in line to start on the left wing.

Nazarii Rusyn should start up front and midfielder Abdoullah Ba is pushing for a recall.

Swansea could freshen up their attacking unit by bringing Przemyslaw Placheta and Liam Cullen into the starting line-up. Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino is another creative option for the visitors.

The stats

Sunderland have won seven of their last 10 home games in the Championship, while four of the Black Cats' last seven home wins were by 3-1 scorelines.

Both teams have scored in four of Sunderland's last five league games.

Swansea have lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions.

The Swans have conceded 10 goals in the first 20 minutes of their last seven games, while seven of their last 10 away matches have produced over 3.5 goals.

Prediction

Sunderland have done most of their best work at home in the Championship this season, claiming 10 of their 14 league victories at the Stadium of Light.

Despite Beale's departure on Tuesday, the Black Cats should be confident of banking another three points against a leaky Swansea side who have had a brutal run of fixtures.

As well as their FA Cup drubbing by Premier League Bournemouth, the Swans have suffered recent league defeats against Leicester, Leeds, Ipswich and Southampton – the four teams involved in a promotion mini-league at the top of the Championship.

Things should get marginally easier for Swansea when they face Sunderland, particularly if the home side's star forward Jack Clarke is ruled out.

However, backing the Black Cats to win and both teams to score looks the best bet for Saturday's contest as it has been a winning selection in six of Sunderland's seven victories against bottom-half teams this season.

Swansea have scored in all but two of their 16 away matches in the league, including a 1-0 win at play-off hopefuls Hull last time out.

They have conceded 21 goals in eight away games against top-10 teams such as Sunderland, whose interim manager Mike Dodds can deliver a debut win for the club's frustrated supporters.

Back Sunderland to Win & Both Teams to Score, available at 11/5 with LiveScore Bet

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