Sunderland v Norwich: rare blip in pipeline for hosts

Only Manchester United have taken more Premier League points than Sunderland since Martin O’Neill was appointed manager, but they may have to settle for a draw from the visit of Norwich to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have taken 16 points from O’Neill’s eight games in charge and have only been beaten in one of their last nine top-flight home games.

These two facts may make Sunderland good value at 17/20 to pick up another victory at home to Norwich.

Home wins have been particularly common in this fixture in the past, with all of the last six league meetings between the two ending with the visitors leaving point-less.

However, Norwich have not been easy to beat of late and have avoided the collapse that many were predicting they would suffer in the New Year.

They have been beaten in just one of their last eight Premier League games and are well on track to achieving their primary aim of the season to avoid relegation.

Norwich are 7/2 to beat Sunderland, but 23/10 seems worthy of consideration that the fixture ends all square.

In terms of goals, many eyes will be on Frazier Campbell after his successful return to action in the FA Cup draw with Middlesbrough.

Campbell scored after stepping off the substitute’s bench for his first appearance in 18 months because of cruciate ligament injury.

This could put him in contention for a start against Norwich and he is available at 5/1 to be the first goalscorer.

It may be easy to expect goals in the fixture, but historically meetings between the two have been low scoring, with five of the last six ending in 1-0 successes to the hosts.

Sunderland are 6/1 to beat Norwich 1-0, while 5/6 is the price that under 2.5 goals are scored at the Stadium of Light.