Sunderland welcome Brentford to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Sunderland come into this clash off the back of consecutive draws, with their 1-1 draw away to Lech Poznan in the Europa League last Thursday followed by a goalless draw in the Premier League at home to Leeds United.
Whilst that draw did put a halt to their four-match losing run in the Premier League, Regis Le Bris’ hosts sit at the foot of the table, two points adrift of safety.
Brentford were also held to a draw at the weekend, as they drew 1-1 away to newly-promoted – a result I successfully predicted at 14/5.
That’s now just one win in seven Premier League clashes for Keith Andrews’ side, but they still remain as high as sixth in the table.
The Bees have seen off lower-league opposition in both previous rounds winning away at both Port Vale and Birmingham City, whilst Sunderland knocked out fellow Premier League side Hull City 1-0.
How the bookies view it: Brentford favourites
Brentford come into this clash as favourites to advance to the next round, with bet365 pricing the Bees at 8/15 To Qualify, whilst the win inside 90 minutes is 1/1.
Sunderland are priced at 11/8 to reach the quarter-finals, whilst the win inside regulation is a juicier 5/2.
Head to head: Even record in recent times
Following Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League last season, these two clubs have met on three occasions, with each side recording a win apiece, whilst the most recent meeting in West London last month resulted in a draw.
Players to watch: Watch out for Wilson
With both sides likely to rotate, this game will be viewed as the perfect opportunity for some of the fringe players.
Callum Wilson has started in both games in the previous rounds for Brentford – scoring in both matches – and the ex-West Ham United forward appeals at 7/4 to Score Anytime.
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Predicted line-ups:
Sunderland are missing the injured Daniel Ballard and Romaine Mundle, as well as the suspended Kevin Danso, whilst Thomas Meunier and Wilson Isidor are both doubts.
Brentford will once again be without the injured Joshua Dasilva, Kaye Furo and Antoni Milambo, as well as the suspended Yehor Yarmoliuk.
Sunderland: Ellborg, Mukiele, O’Nien, Alderete, Methalie, Ahoka, Rigg, Fofana, Diarra, Angulo, Tutierov
Brentford: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Collins, Schuster, Diouf, Sangare, Janelt, Anthony, Damsgaard, Carvalho, Wilson
Anything else catch the eye?
Brentford have become draw specialists this season, with the Bees drawing five of their last seven Premier League encounters.
The latest of which came at Hull at the weekend, with Keith Andrews’ side drawing all four of their away matches in the Premier League this term.
Sunderland have also drawn their last two in all competitions – as well as drawing with their visitors in the league last month – and a repeat pays an appealing 13/5.
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