Portsmouth vs. Sunderland: EPL Betting Preview

Kevin Davies’ wrongly disallowed injury time goal on Saturday did little to brighten my mood and the four Premier League games taking place on Tuesday offer little cheer either.

There is a case to be made that Manchester City’s clash with Bolton should be a fairly entertaining but the matches at Fratton Park, Craven Cottage and the DW Stadium hardly excite. That said, the encounter at the first named venue offers the opportunity to take advantage of some shoddy odds compiling and I’m happy to oppose rock-bottom Portsmouth versus Sunderland.

Making a case against the team currently cut adrift in the Premier League shouldn’t be that difficult and I’m more than happy to do so given Avram Grant’s men can be taken on at around the 2.50 mark. Their opponents are seemingly in freefall, but Portsmouth are a club in disarray from top to bottom and Sunderland should be good enough to earn at least a share of the spoils.

If the Black Cats can add to two recent draws against Stoke City and Wigan then we’ll be in for a profitable evening but manager Steve Bruce must be concerned by what he is witnessing at present.

Sunderland have quality individuals throughout, in particular in attack where Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones are such a threat, but confidence is lacking and they are very much involved in a relegation fight.

Just five points gained away from the Stadium of Light this season sees Sunderland languishing in 13th position, they certainly possesses the talent to be a top half side, but the north-east club do prove difficult to breakdown against the lesser teams and there isn’t anybody more lowly ranked than Pompey at present.

In trouble both on and off the pitch, a lightweight front pairing of Danny Webber and Frédéric Piquionne will be asked to carry the fight once more for the hosts but I’m not sure they have enough about them elsewhere anyway for that duo to make an impact and Sunderland look set to win the battle in midfield.

A 5-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester United on Saturday was hardly unexpected but the manner of defeat, in scoring three own goals, summed up Portsmouth’s efforts of late and I expect Sunderland's central paring of Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana to dominate. Kevin Prince-Boateng’s likely absence is a major blow for the hosts and a repeat 2-1 victory over Tuesday’s opponents as enjoyed in the FA Cup last month seems unlikely.

There is little doubting Sunderland’s woes at present make them a risky proposition but Portsmouth very rarely offer much resistance these days and a lay at 2.50 must be the play. The away team clearly have much the greater potential and a win on the road to kick-start their campaign wouldn’t surprise.

2pts Lay Portsmouth vs. Sunderland @ 2.50 (Betfair)