Sunderland v Middlesbrough: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Sunderland were the early Championship pace-setters after winning their opening four matches but they suffered a surprise setback last Saturday when losing 3-2 at unfancied Plymouth.

The Wearsiders have beaten Sheffield Wednesday (4-0) and Burnley (1-0) on home soil but can expect a stern challenge from Middlesbrough, who are keen to improve on last season’s eighth place finish.

Boro have made a reasonable start although they were disappointed with last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Preston.

Sunderland v Middlesbrough betting tips and predictions

Middlesbrough Draw No Bet - Evs

Middlesbrough have had nothing more than a steady start to the season, but they are seven points better off than at the same stage of last term and can register a high profile victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Michael Carrick has been in the Boro hotseat since October 2022, making him the third longest serving manager in the division.

And he maintained the support of his chairman, Steve Gibson, despite a dreadful start to last season which yielded two points from seven games.

Boro recovered strongly, finishing four points outside the playoffs and reaching the EFL Cup semi-finals, but they will be looking for a minimum top six placing this term as they strive to recover the top flight status lost in 2016-17.

Carrick tends to focus on performances and the metrics are encouraging with Boro’s XG (expected goals) for standing at 10.16 while their XG against is just 3.37.

The Teessiders feel they should be higher and they felt short-changed after last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Preston after they dominated the shot count 16 to five.

However, Boro’s players are sticking to the process and they can pick up a win at one of the toughest venues in the division.

Sunderland have made a superb start under Regis Le Bris and are yet to concede a goal or drop any points on home soil.

However, elements of self doubt are likely to have crept in after they were beaten 3-2 at Plymouth last Saturday.

The Wearsiders scored first against Argyle but they could have no complaints with the outcome after a poor second half performance.

Le Bris will be looking for a reaction but his team face arguably their toughest test of the season and they may suffer a second successive defeat.

Emmanuel Latte Lath to score any time - 15/8

Middlesbrough have been wasteful in front of goal and will be looking for more from their strikers, including pacy Ivorian Emmanuel Latte Lath, who has had ten shots and scored just one goal.

Latte Lath got off to a slow start last term but nded up with 16 league goals, including 11 in the final three months of the campaign.

However, after a season of Championship football, Latte Lath is better adapted to the division and should be more able to cope with the inevitable peaks and troughs.

Latte Lath’s XG stands at 2.42 which is the seventh highest of any player at the level.

He will come good at some point and looks a tempting 15/8 shot to notch this weekend.

Romaine Mundle to be booked - 5/1

Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle has got off to a superb start to the season and made it much easier than anticipated for the club to move on from the summer departure of Jack Clarke.

Mundle has bagged three goals and is already attracting a lot of attention from opposition defenders, although he seems to know how to handle himself.

The 21-year-old has committed 12 fouls, incurring one yellow card, and he looks an overpriced 5/1 caution candidate against Middlesbrough.

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Sunderland v Middlesbrough odds

Sunderland - 7/5
Draw - 12/5
Middlesbrough - 9/5

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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.