Sunderland v Swansea: Battle of the cliche case studies

Capital One Cup finalists Swansea venture to the north east to defend a Premier League unbeaten streak that’s six games long and propelled the south Wales club into ninth in the table.

The only possible complaint that Michael Laudrup can have with regards to his side’s recent league form is they’re a bit top heavy on the draws front. They’ve shared the spoils on four occasions over their current purple patch and this trip to the Stadium of Light is likely to yield the same result, which can be backed at 23/10.

Sunderland are slight favourites at 13/10 with the away win offering good value at 2/1, though the performances of these teams over the course of the season suggests this one will likely end all square come the final whistle too.

If matches finished at half time Sunderland, who are widely regarded to have had a bad season under Martin O’Neill, would currently sit fourth in the division. They’re 9/5 to win the first half of this contest, as they did when this pair locked horns in the early exchanges of the season.

Backing them to win the match is likely to prove a futile exercise, based around a similar stat.

If games consisted of just the second half, Swansea would be four places higher up. Unfortunately for both of these sides, football matches are consisted over two halves, not one. But, fortunately for punters, this makes the 14/1 on offer for the Black Cats to be ahead at the break and level at the final whistle and excellent looking price.

Putting faith in this eventuality occurring, the 2/1 that says Swansea will score their first goal following some more Laudrup words of wisdom should also come into consideration.

Similarly, if you want to hedge your bets somewhat, back Sunderland to be leading the match at half time, but fail to finish the job which is available at 9/1.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date