Sunderland v Middlesbrough
With only one league win to their name this season, the Black Cats go into this crunch orth east derby knowing that a purring performance would do the Stadium of Light faithful no harm at all. Indeed, manager Roy Keane has shown some great ambition by signing some experienced, top-class players during the summer and this quality will surely spark into life sometime soon. Sunderland are actually playing quite well, having considered they lead at Wigan for over an hour last time out. With that in mind, it is highly likely the Red and Whites will score some more points on the board soon, though they must win a game quickly if they are to keep pressure on the teams in the top ten.
Six points out of a possible twelve from Middlesbrough isn’t bad going for a club with top-ten ambitions. But with striker Tuncay out for six weeks, Boro may lack that great link-up play and the wonderful work-rate which the Turkish maestro offers. Nevertheless, Mido and Afonso Alves seem to be creating a decent partnership and Southgate’s side are generally sound across the pitch. Perhaps a slightly tighter defence could see them do even better, but the main problem for them by far is rookie keeper Turnbull, who doesn’t look the most confident of figures at times.
With Sunderland raring to impress at home especially against their bitter local rivals, I feel that Keane’s side will fare better in this game. They have good options at the back, a reasonably creative midfield and maybe it could be Djibril Cisse’s day up front.
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