Both looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League, Sunderland and Fulham will clash at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon.
Regis Le Bris’ side suffered their first home defeat in the top-flight this season when Liverpool claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at this venue last midweek.
That loss, combined with other results, saw Sunderland slip into the bottom half of the table, starting the weekend in 11th place on 36 points.
The Black Cats, however, responded at the first attempt by securing a 1-0 win away at Oxford in the FA Cup fourth round last Sunday.
Fulham, meanwhile, head north having lost each of their last three Premier League matches, most recently being beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad.
That run has curtailed any talk of Marco Silva’s men mounting a push for a European berth as they are now down in 12th place in the standings.
How the bookies view it: Close contest on the cards
The bookmakers are struggling to separate the pair, and that is reflected in the pre-match odds with both a Sunderland and a Fulham success priced up at 13/8 on bet365.
Given that nine of Sunderland's 26 top-flight fixtures this season have ended all square, the value could lie with the draw at 11/5 on bet365.
Head to head: History favours the hosts
Sunderland and Fulham have clashed 67 times across all competitions, with Sunderland coming out on top on 26 occasions, Fulham 21, while the other 20 fixtures finished level.
However, it is worth noting that Fulham claimed a 1-0 victory in this season's reverse fixture. The same scoreline on Sunday can be backed at 8/1 on bet365.
Players to watch: Wilson worth a shot
Bundling up Harry Wilson to attempt two or more shots, with at least one of them to hit the target, will bring about an eye-catching 20/23 Bet Builder on bet365. In-form Fulham ace Wilson is averaging 2.29 shots per game in the Premier League this season, with his on-target figure sitting at 1.03. Additionally, the 13/8 available for Wilson to hit the target from outside the box looks very tempting.
Brian Brobbey has made the net bulge in three of his last seven Premier League outings. The Sunderland striker has been priced up at 21/10 on bet365 for an anytime strike on Sunday afternoon.
Predicted line-ups
Sunderland's injury issues are beginning to ease, although they are likely to be without Bertrand Traore and Granit Xhaka this weekend, while Omar Alderete is rated as doubtful.
As for Fulham, they will be unable to call upon the services of influential midfielder Sasa Lukic, while Tom Cairney is rated as touch and go.
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Sadiki, Diarra; Hume, Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey
Fulham: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Iwobi, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze; Jimenez
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing both teams to score looks well worthy of support at 17/20 with William Hill.
There have been goals at both ends in six of Fulham’s last eight top-flight fixtures.
Sunderland’s Premier League games haven’t been quite as BTTS-heavy this season, but this outcome would have landed in seven of their 13 home league matches.
After both sides picked up three bookings apiece in the reverse fixture, the 5/6 on bet365 for four or more cards in this Stadium of Light clash also looks worth considering.
Sunderland vs Fulham Betting Tips & Predictions
Further Reading
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