Sunderland have made an impressive start to the new season and currently sit just a point behind the league leaders West Brom.
Saturday's guests at the Stadium of Light, Middlesbrough, occupy tenth spot in the table and even a win this weekend wouldn't take them above the Black Cats.
Contents
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough prediction: Home win on the cards?
Key Stats
- Middlesbrough have only won one of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Under 2.5 goals have produced have been produced in three of Sunderland's last six outings.
- Three of Middlesbrough's last five fixtures have witnessed fewer than three goals.
Correct score prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Middlesbrough
Sunderland have kept three clean sheets in their last six outings and have scored at least two goals in four of those games, so you can see why we're backing a 2-0 home win this weekend.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Sunderland the slight favourite
- HOME: 31/20 (2.55) – 39.2%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 15/8 (2.88) – 34.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Sunderland are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 39.2% and we agree with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Middlesbrough lead
Saturday's guests have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five league meetings with Sunderland but the pair played out a 1-1 draw when they last locked horns in February.
England Championship 04/02/24
Middlesbrough
Sunderland
England Championship 07/10/23
Sunderland
Middlesbrough
England Championship 22/01/23
Sunderland
Middlesbrough
England Championship 05/09/22
Middlesbrough
Sunderland
UK Friendlies 27/07/18
Middlesbrough
Sunderland
Sunderland preview: Sit second in the table
The Black Cats have made an excellent start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign, picking up 12 points from their opening five matches.
However, Sunderland made the trip down to Plymouth last weekend where they came out on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller, losing the match 3-2.
Defender Aji Alese and midfielder Jenson Seelt look set to miss out on Saturday due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Patterson (GK), Ballard, Cirkin, Hume, O'Nien, Roberts, Neil, Bellingham, Rigg, Mundle & Mayenda
England Championship 01/10/24
W
Derby
0
Sunderland
2
England Championship 28/09/24
L
Watford
2
Sunderland
1
England Championship 21/09/24
W
Middlesbrough
0
Sunderland
1
England Championship 14/09/24
L
Plymouth
3
Sunderland
2
England Championship 31/08/24
W
Portsmouth
1
Sunderland
3
Middlesbrough preview: One win in last five
Boro have gone three league games without defeat but still only sit in mid-table heading into this weekend's latest round of fixtures.
Despite having the home advantage against Preston last time out, Middlesbrough were held to a 1-1 draw which took them onto eight points for the season.
Jonathan Howson, Tom Smith, Marcus Forss and Alex Bangura could all miss the trip to the Stadium of Light this weekend through injury.
Predicted lineup: Dieng (GK), Ayling, Clarke, Edmundson, Borges, Barlaser, Azaz, Hackney, Latte Lath, Conway & Jones
England Championship 01/10/24
W
West Brom
0
Middlesbrough
1
England Championship 28/09/24
W
Stoke
0
Middlesbrough
2
England Championship 21/09/24
L
Sunderland
1
Middlesbrough
0
England Championship 14/09/24
D
Preston
1
Middlesbrough
1
England Championship 31/08/24
W
Cardiff
0
Middlesbrough
2
Player to watch: Eliezer Mayenda
Sunderland teenager Eliezer Mayenda has broken into the first team this season and has started to repay the faith shown in him with goals and assists.
The former Sochaux forward has scored two goals and provided two assists in his opening five starts for the Black Cats, despite only featuring in eight league games last season.
Sunderland's Spanish star is in great form
The 19-year-old Spanish talent has developed really well over the summer and looks to have all the attributes to go all the way in English football as long as he keeps getting regular first-team football.
We're excited to see how Mayenda performs this weekend for Sunderland at home against mid-table Middlesbrough.
