MATCH OF THE DAQ previews Sunderland v Manchester United (Premier League, K.O 12.45, Sky Sports 1). Can Man U go a whopping 18 points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table?
Sunderland v Manchester United
Premier League
K.O 12.45, Sky Sports 1
HEAD TO HEAD
(Max 10 only)
15 Dec 2012 League, Man Utd 3 – 1 Sunderland
13 May 2012 League, Sunderland 0 – 1 Man Utd
05 Nov 2011 League, Man Utd 1 – 0 Sunderland
26 Dec 2010 League, Man Utd 2 – 0 Sunderland
02 Oct 2010 League, Sunderland 0 – 0 Man Utd
02 May 2010 League, Sunderland 0 – 1 Man Utd
03 Oct 2009 League, Man Utd 2 – 2 Sunderland
11 Apr 2009 League, Sunderland 1 – 2 Man Utd
06 Dec 2008 League, Man Utd 1 – 0 Sunderland
26 Dec 2007 League, Sunderland 0 – 4 Man Utd
PREVIEW
Sunderland’s miserable season got worse this week when the club’s leading scorer, Steven Fletcher, was stretchered off in Scotland’s loss to Wales on Tuesday night. Captain Lee Cattermole soon followed suit and, with the pair ruled out for the rest of the season, that’s a huge blow for the Black Cats as they prepare to host champions-in-waiting Manchester United in the lunchtime kick-off today.
United have stretched right away at the Premier League summit and can go a whopping 18 points clear of Manchester City with a win against these strugglers. The pundits and bookmakers might have already declared the title race over but Sir Alex Ferguson will not let his charges let their foot off the gas with memories of losing an eight-point lead at a similar stage of the season last term fresh in the mind. The Scot also suggested this week he was keen to surpass Chelsea’s league record haul of 95 points.
The international break can often throw up surprise results but United’s players in action for England, chiefly Tom Cleverly, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, all return injury-free, which is more than can be said for their oppoents. Rooney scored twice in those games against San Marino and Montenegro and will fancy his chances versus this leaky defence.
Ferguson’s men have won eight of the last ten meetings, six of those without conceding, and Sunderland haven’t beaten United since a League Cup game in 2000.
Predictably the Red Devils are warm favourites but, even at around 1.67 on BETDAQ, they look bankers.
RECOMMENDATION: (1-10 points)
Back Manchester United at around 1.7 on BETDAQ: 8 points
Friday: -5.00 points
MARCH RETURN TO DATE: +2.23 points
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