Manchester United vs Sunderland Prediction and Preview – 26/09/15
Premier League preview – Manchester United vs Sunderland prediction
After scoring all six of their shots in the last two Premier League games, Manchester United will be chomping at the bit to get their next game underway against an underperforming Sunderland on Saturday. The Red Devils are flying high so far this season, starting Saturday’s game top of the table with 7 wins from the last 10 games. United will be without Blackett, Januzaj and Shaw who are all injured.
Sunderland are yet to win this season and currently find themselves rock bottom of the Premier League and a trip to Old Trafford at this time of the season is unlikely to raise their spirits going into the weekend. The Black Cats have won just one of their last 14 away games in the Premier League and will be without Giaccherini, Matthews and Vergini for Saturday, all of whom are still sidelined due to injury.
Possible Line-ups
Manchester United – 4-2-3-1 – De Gea, Damien, Smalling, Blind, Young, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Mata, Rooney, Depay, Martial
Sunderland – 4-2-3-1 – Pantilimon, Jones, O’Shea, Coates, Van Aanholt, Gomez, M’Vila, Lens, Toivonen, Borini, Defoe
Statistics
- Manchester United have only conceded 2 goals against Sunderland in their last 5 Premier League games at home.
- If Martial scores, he will become the first Manchester United player to score consecutively in his first three Premier League appearances.
- So far this season, Manchester United have conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game compared with Sunderland’s record of 2.2.
- In the last ten matches in all competitions, Manchester United have kept 5 clean sheets whereas Sunderland have kept just one.
- In the last ten games, at the 60 minute mark Manchester United have been winning in 80% of matches. Sunderland have not been ahead at the 60 minute mark in any of their games so far.
Prediction
Manchester United are having the best start to a campaign since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and this is in no small part down to De Gea’s summer move to Real Madrid falling through. The Spanish goalkeeper has been in world class form so far this season but should not have too much work to do on Saturday against bottom club Sunderland. The Black Cats have a distinct lack of fire power up front with Defoe on a goal drought lasting 18 Premier League games to date.
I feel that if Sunderland are to get anything from this game they will be aiming to ‘park the bus’ and try and eek out a goalless draw. I can see Manchester United running away with this one and do not be surprised to see Martial on the score sheet yet again. The world’s most expensive teenager has been quick to settle and looks to be the real deal for United. Sunderland will be hoping for inspiration from anywhere and Man Utd old boy John O’Shea might be boosted by his return to Old Trafford. It is hard to see this as anything other than a Manchester United win.
Tips
Manchester United to win or draw – 1/20 with Bet 365
Manchester United to win – 1/5 with Bet 365
Martial to score first and Manchester United win – 20/1 with Bet 365
What are your predictions?
Click here to see more Premier League previews, predictions and tips