English Premier
2012-03-31 - Manchester City vs Sunderland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 31 March 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Manchester City
Manchester City might have fallen behind Manchester United in the race for the Premier League title, but they would have at least been a little more cheerful knowing their goal difference was still intact as United struggled to a 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford. The title is still in City's hands as they will be crowned Champions, as things stand, as long as they win their last 8 League games.
The first of those 8 games comes at the Etihad Stadium where they have won all 15 League games they have played this season, scoring a League high 44 goals and conceding a League low of 7. A win by any margin will allow City to sit on top of the Premier League until Monday night at least, while they will look to add more pressure on that United game by improving their goal difference.
City have really been struggling to grab three points from their away games recently, while they have missed their centre half pairing of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott so much so that they have not had a clean sheet in 5 games in all competitions. They will be glad to be back home for this game having won 7 in a row in all competitions, and scoring at least 2 goals in each of those wins.
Kompany looks set to return to the side this week, but Lescott could miss yet another game. Sergio Aguero missed the trip to Stoke City last weekend, but should be restored to the squad for this game and I expect he will be starting.
Sunderland
It is going to be interesting to see how Sunderland react to being knocked out of the FA Cup against Everton and whether Martin O'Neill can get the best out of them over the last 8 games of the season. The team did have plenty of momentum since O'Neill took over as manager, and I am sure the Northern Irishman will want to finish the season on a high and finish as high as possible up the table.
Sunderland are 8th in the table and could move up another position if they can earn a surprise 3 points here. They have a 4-3-8 record away from home, scoring 15 goals and conceding 20 in those games. With the magical 40 point reached already, the team can at least play with a fearless manner, even at places like this where they are expected to lose.
They have won just 2 of their last 7 games in all competitions and they have lost 2 of their last 3. Sunderland have won just 1 of their last 7 away games in all competitions and they have lost their competitive edge just slightly in the last few weeks. Sunderland had not lost a game away from home by more than a single goal all season, but their last 2 away losses have come by 4 goals and 2 goals.
John O'Shea will need to pass a late fitness test to play in this game, but Wes Brown and Titus Bramble are missing. Kieran Richardson will need to pass a late fitness test if he is to take part in the match.
Head to Head
Sunderland surprised Manchester City earlier this season by scoring a last minute winner to beat them 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Manchester City have beaten Sunderland 7 times in a row at home in the League, including a 5-0 win last season.
City had won 4 in a row at home by a single goal before that win last season.
Prediction
You will find it tough to look beyond a Manchester City win here and I do expect they will find a way to do so. They haven't been playing well away from home, but they continue to rack up the wins at the Etihad Stadium and they are scoring goals for fun in front of their own fans.
Sunderland can at least take this game as a 'free' game with no expectation on them to win the game. However, they may find it tough to raise their game to the levels expected after being beaten in the FA Cup during the week.
City have usually not had an easy game against Sunderland at home, but they have found a way to win the game. The return of Sergio Aguero will be huge for the side that has struggled for goals in away games recently, but one that has scored easily enough at home.
I am going to back City on the handicap here, but remember at this stage of the season it is more about getting the three points than handing out hammerings. I just think Sunderland may be a little deflated after the FA Cup result against Everton and that could lead to City winning by a couple of goals.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland
