Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Sunderland are pushing hard for automatic promotion out of the Championship this season but the fourth-placed Black Cats face a difficult test of their credentials on Boxing Day against a robust Blackburn Rovers.

Rovers don't give up too many goals and are only one place behind the Ewood Park visitors.

Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland betting tips and predictions

Draw - 12/5

Goals are usually in short supply when Blackburn are in action and that could bring the draw into play for bettors when Sunderland visit Ewood Park on Boxing Day.

Blackburn's six-match winning streak came to an end with a 1-0 loss at Millwall on Saturday as Rovers conceded an injury-time goal after they were down to 10 men due to an injury to Lewis Travis once all their substitutions had been made.

That was the fifth match in seven for Blackburn that had finished with just one goal - they had won four matches in a row 1-0 at one stage between late November and early December - and Sunderland will find it tough going to create many clear-cut opportunities.

John Eustace has made fifth-placed Rovers tough to break down with only 18 goals conceded in 21 Championship matches this season.

Sunderland, one place and six points ahead of Blackburn, have more attacking threat in the final third and have used that to overturn deficits in each of their last two matches, beating Swansea 3-2 and Norwich 2-1.

However, the Black Cats have drawn three of their last five away matches and six of their last 10 overall which highlights the value in taking the teams to grab a point apiece.

At full-strength Sunderland would be the more likely winners, however, Regis Le Bris is without long-term absentees Tommy Watson, Romaine Mundle, Alan Browne and Salis Abdul Samed, while there is a doubt over key defender Dan Ballard after he hobbled off late against Norwich.

Jobe Bellingham to have over 0.5 shots on target - 6/4

Twinkle-toed midfielder Jobe Bellingham was the Sunderland hero at the weekend, scoring a wonderful solo effort to get the better of Norwich and the 19-year-old could once again be in the thick of the action.

Bellingham made a strong start to the season, but seemed derailed by a red card at QPR in November. It has taken him a while to return to his best form, although he has returned to a purple patch with the winners against Swansea and Norwich.

Jobe, the younger brother of England and Real Madrid star Jude, has had at least one shot on target in his last four appearances and is a nice bet to do so again.

Makhtar Gueye to be booked - 4/1

Blackburn's feisty forward Makhtar Gueye is usually in the thick of the action and the 4/1 he is carded is a price of interest given his recent record.

Gueye hit the headlines earlier this season when he was sent off in the derby dust-up with Burnley after waving an imaginary yellow card despite being fouled himself.

That Burnley fixture marked the first (and second) time the Senegalese striker was cautioned in English football, but he has since developed a taste for it.

Gueye, who has scored three times this season, has been carded in three of his last four appearances and has been shown a card in five games this season, so is now more prolific in collecting cards than he is scoring goals.

He is committing 3.85 fouls per 90 minutes in the Championship and even went above that high average with four fouls in the Millwall loss at the weekend.

Those familiar with Gueye's career in Belgium will not be surprised by his record. The 27-year-old had eight yellow cards and two reds for RWD Molenbeek last season.

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Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland odds

Blackburn Rovers - 7/4
Draw - 12/5
Sunderland - 29/20

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.