A 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar was a perfect start to Sunderland's quest for success in the Europa League and they are expected to justify hot favouritism when they travel to Portugal to face Torreense in their second league-phase fixture on Thursday.
Second-tier Torreense pulled off a huge shock when they beat the mighty Sporting CP to win last season's Taca de Portugal, but they have struggled to get going this season.
They won 2-1 in Norway against Lillestrom in their opening match in this competition, but a tie against a Premier League side looks like a difficult prospect.
Torreense v Sunderland Tips Summary
Best Bet - Sunderland to win to nil @ 6/5
Alternative Bet - Granit Xhaka to score at any time @ 9/2
Bet Builder - Under 4 goals, Wilson Isidor 2+ shots on target and Enzo Le Fee to be fouled 2+ times @ 11/2
Torreense v Sunderland Prediction
Best Bet: Sunderland to win to nil @ 6/5
Torreense had a dream start to their Europa League campaign when they beat Lillestrom in their opening encounter, but their league form in the Portuguese second division raises concerns that they may not produce much against Sunderland.
Their only league victory this season has come against a Benfica reserve side and the prospect of a Premier League team paying them a visit is a daunting one.
The Black Cats have kept three clean sheets in their eight games this season, including in their Europa League opener when they beat AZ 1-0, so they should be able to hold form against inferior opponents.
Goals could be thin on the ground but it is questionable whether Torreense will be able to find the net at all, let alone replicate their performance in Norway.
Alternative Bet: Granit Xhaka to score at any time @ 9/2
There is the potential for Sunderland to take their eye off the ball in this one after gaining a victory in their opening Europa League fixture and being heavy favourites to get the job done on Thursday.
The fact the game has been moved to a larger stadium in Leiria, which is 60 miles from Torreense's regular 2,500-capacity base, may mean the visitors are more in their comfort zone, but they still have to get the job done.
Experienced skipper Granit Xhaka is the ideal player to make sure the team maintain their focus and lead by example.
Consequently, after two efforts on goal in the 1-0 win over AZ and three in Saturday's defeat to Brighton, the Swiss midfielder could find the net and settle any nerves.
Torreense v Sunderland Bet Builder Tip
Under 4 goals
Wilson Isidor 2+ shots on target
Enzo Le Fee to be fouled 2+ times
Pays 11/2
Sunderland are heavy favourites to come out on top in this game, but they have hardly been free-scoring.
Their 5-3 defeat to Manchester City was a thriller but that has gone quite a lot against the grain.
That was just one of two Black Cats' matches this term that have featured more than two goals, so it seems realistic to expect that, despite the apparent gulf in class, there may be fewer than four in this one.
An injury to Brian Brobbey has given Wilson Isidor the opportunity to lead the line for the Wearsiders and he should be able to take his chance.
He had his first Premier League start of the season in Saturday's defeat to Brighton, but it was the third league game in which he has had at least two efforts on goal.
Therefore, it is worth chancing that he can test the opposition goalkeeper at least twice against a weaker defence than he is used to coming up against.
Black Cats midfielder Enzo Le Fee looks set to have a key role in proceedings and, after he was fouled five times in the 1-0 win over AZ, he could be upended on at least three occasions in Thursday's match-up.
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Key Match Stats
Both teams have scored in just one of Torreense's last five matches
Torreense have won just one of their seven Portuguese second division games this season
Sunderland have kept three clean sheets in eight games this season
Six of the Black Cats' eight games have featured fewer than three goals
Torreense have picked up three red cards in their last two outings
Eight of Sunderland's last nine victories have been by a single-goal margin
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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.
