8th February 2012

Middlesbrough vs Sunderland Betting: Sunderland can come through derby clash to set up Arsenal tie

Sunderland and Middlesbrough failed to settle their FA Cup fourth round tie at the first time of asking 10 days ago but the tie will be settled at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday night when the two meet for a second time. The first tie ended 1-1 when Fraizer Campbell levelled the scoring and a repeat scoreline in this match is 6/1 with William Hill.

Middlesbrough are clinging on to a playoff place in the Championship but come into the match without a win in four matches, having drawn their last three games. Tony Mowbray’s men have a bit of an injury crisis coming into this replay though. Marvin Emnes and Faris Haroun and both struggling with hamstring injuries while Barry Robson and Scott McDonald are also doubtful. Former Sunderland man Julio Arca will return from suspension for this match. Lukas Jutkiewicz will be relied upon for goals.

Sunderland are in fine form at the minute and have really improved since Martin O’Neill took over as manager from Steve Bruce. They come into the match off the back of a 1-0 win over Stoke at the weekend which was their third Premier League win in a row. They also have a few injuries at the minute however with Lee Cattermole, Wes Brown, Nicklas Bendtner, David Vaughan and Titus Bramble all sidelined. Wayne Bridge and Sotirios Kyrgiakos were both signed after the original tie and so are ineligible.

The form of these two sides are going in opposite directions and while I accept form goes out of the window in a cup tie, especially a local derby cup tie, I can’t ignore the transformation that Sunderland have gone through since Martin O’Neill got the job. It’s no surprise Middlesbrough are just starting to wobble with the key injuries they have but with Sunderland’s squad being stronger I think they’ll get the job done at the second time of asking and set up a home tie with Arsenal in the fifth round.

Back Sunderland to beat Middlesbrough for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with BetVictor

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