English FA CUP
2012-02-08 - Middlesborough vs Sunderland
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : England : FA Cup
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012, 7:45PM GMT
PREVIEW
Sunderland have performed excellently since Martin O'Neill took charge, with the Black Cats winning 8 and losing just 1 of their 12 games. One of the 2 draws they've had in that time came in the FA Cup last Sunday, where Middlesborough gained a replay after a 1-1 finish.
Sunderland may have taken Tony Mowbray's slumping team for granted last week, and it cost them. Middlesborough jumped to a 1-0 lead after just 16 mins, and it took a strong defensive performance to make sure the damage did not get doubled. Frazier Campbell struck to cancel out Barry Robson's opener, and that means Sunderland have not lost to their rivals in 5 matches. I think Middlesborough did the best they could have, and took advantage of the situation, but with Sunderland playing the better football, and looking to kill off their opponents, the value is back on Sunderland.
Middlesborough, who sit 6th in the Championship, have not won in 5 matches, with the last 3 being draws, including a 0-0 in their last at home against Crystal Palace. Their goalscorer from the last match, Robson, looks set to miss this match with an injured hand, while Scott McDonald, Faris Haroun and Marvin Emnes are also out. Sunderland are missing players too, but the quality is of a different standard, and O'Neill will have been preparing for this one, because the reward is a home game against Arsenal.
Middlesborough have won just 1 of their last in all competitions, and that was a win in the FA Cup over Shrewsbury, who play in an inferior division. Sunderland have been showing good form away from home recently, winning 4 of their last 5 games as visitors.
BETTING VERDICT
I feel confident Sunderland will win and go through to face Arsenal. The huge price means this is a good value bet, but I will also say there might be increased value in taking Sunderland to win to nil at 3.00 or even taking correct scores of 1-0 and 2-0 to Sunderland, paying 6.00 and 8.00 respectively (all at Bet365).
The main bet here will be Sunderland to win over the 90 mins.
The Pick :
Sunderland
