Middlesbrough vs Sunderland Bet Builder Tips, Best Bets, Stats and Predictions

This is certainly a clash of two of the best attacking units in the division, Boro sitting 3rd for goals per match this season (1.6) and Sunderland sitting 4th (1.4).

There’s a whole host of attacking talent on show here the likes of Isidor, Mayende, Bellingham and more whilst Boro possess Doak, Latte Lath, Azaz.
Neither are resting on their laurels either with both turning to the market for reinforcements the Black Cats adding creative guile in Enzo Le Fee whilst Boro have signed Ryan Giles and Morgan Whittaker.

Now the top sides have been renowned for defensive solitary and tight affairs this season, Boro’s clashes with the top 6 seeing just 13 goals in 7 games whilst Sunderland’s have seen only 10 goals in the same amount of matches.

But I believe we’ll see the best of both sides going forwards in this one. They’re both heavily in need of 3 points to turn the tide of their recent games and should come out of the blocks flying. Over 1.5 goals covers a one way contest or an end to end thriller making it a good option.

This game has the potential for a basketball feel at times. The game state will likely suit both with Boro more possession focused whilst Sunderland have still had great success despite their average possession being below 50%.

The Black Cats will wait for their opportunities to pounce but don’t mistake that for the idea they’ll be camped inside their half. They’ll certainly look to dominate Boro territory for spells especially with the ball players they have.

This is where I feel this bet provides real value. Since coming in Le Fee has exclusively played off the left hand side for Sunderland, a different role to the ones he played at Roma, Stade Rennais And Lorient where he featured more centrally. He’s averaged 2.0 fouls per game in the 3 matches he’s had since joining with his lack of raw pace causing him a few issues defensively.

I feel the market hasn’t quite adjusted yet meaning the value is high at 2/1 with the odds more an indication of his career average fouls where he was less exposed in central areas.

Boro certainly have the capabilities to exploit this with Ben Doak a regular on the right flank and Morgan Whittaker also staring from the right at Argyle. Doak has drawn an average fouls of 1.0 with Whittaker even higher at 2.0. This looks a good opportunity to me.

Wilson Isidor has had a revelation season on loan at Sunderland, being the main focal point and source of attacking threat for a side who share their goals out. He’s certainly been the more reliable man when it comes to finding the net, his 9 goals 5 more than anyone else in the squad.

He’s operating in central areas and the fact he’s averaging so few touches (17.4) is a huge benefit for him as the man leading the line- not as eager to be involved in build up, he remains further up the pitch and can find himself in better shooting areas as a result with 84% of his efforts coming from inside the 18 yard box.

Sunderland are averaging 4.17 shots on target per 90 with Isidor having an average of 1.17 of those per 90, 28% of their shots on target average.

Now Boro are strong defensively, as they allow just shy of 3 shots on target per 90, however if Isidor maintains his shot taking percentage he should have a strong chance at managing one on target here.

Isidor has managed at least one shot on target in his last 7 in the League and him being priced at 1.40 to repeat that feat, looks well priced.

Liverpool loanee Ben Doak has certainly made an impact at Middlesbrough, registering 7 assists. What is worth noting however is that his card tally matches that number and that derives straight from his foul-happy tendencies.

Doak has committed 1.31 fouls per 90 in the Championship this season and in what looks likely to be a heated affair, he could very well offend again here.

Doak has committed at least 1 foul in all of his last 10 Championship fixtures and given his matchup against Dennis Cirkin, this selection looks very strong again here.

Cirkin is fouled at a rate of 1.68 per 90 in the League and if he is offered the opportunity to get forward and put pressure on Doak defensively, he may very well draw a foul or two out of him.

Priced at 1.30 for a selection that has landed in 10 straight, this looks like a very strong pick to round out our Bet Builder.