Sunderland vs Preston North End Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 31/12/2023, 23:14  by Steve Ashfield in Championship Predictions

Sunderland can move back into the promotion play-off positions if beating Preston on New Year's Day. They begin this game in seventh position with visitors Preston North End in 11th place. Their most recent game saw them have to come from behind to get a 1-1 draw at Rotherham United who are bottom of the Championship. Only two points separate them from sixth placed Hull City. Sunderland have won seven of their 12 home games in the Championship this season. However, the other five have all ended in defeat and that includes their last game. After two wins over West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United (both in the promotion play-off positions), they lost 3-0 to improving Coventry City on December 23. Both teams have scored in four of their last six home league games. The reverse fixture between these two sides saw Preston win 2-1.

That game took place in mid-August when Preston were in much better form than they are at present. They won six of their first seven league games but it's not gone so well since the second half of September. Preston have only won four games in the Championship since then but still in with a good chance of making the promotion play-offs if they can get that early season form back. Another disappointing result came for them on Friday as they lost 1-0 at home to relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday. They are only four points off the final promotion play-off position and a win here will take them above Sunderland in the table. On the road this season, Preston have won four out of 12 away Championship fixtures but been beaten on five occasions. Only one of their last four away league fixtures have been won. Their big problem is in their defending with 41 goals conceded but only 18 away from home. Both teams have scored in three of their last five away fixtures. We go for that stat to come up again in this game.