West Brom Flying Without 'Wingie and Petr not Cech-ing in at Reading but Tottenaham Can Spur on in Midweek

So often a class of two of the “big 4” in the past this games has become somewhat less of a big deal. They are sixth and seventh in the table and not out of the race for fourth just yet but they need to string a good run together as they are four and seven points adrift respectively.

Head-to-Head

The Gunners won 2-0 at Anfield in September and the record of all their meetings since 1905 is 66 to 65 in favour of Liverpool.

I never noticed any bad blood between these two so the above average amount of cards in these ties is surprising.

Last season Liverpool gained their first win at Arsenal since 2000 when they beat the 10 men with two late goals. In fact there has not been a first half goals in their meetings at The Emirates since 2008.

Stats/Form

Liverpool have conceded at least twice against all teams ahead of them in the table bar Chelsea who scored once. The Reds have dominated the leagues lower sides but are yet to register a win against top half opposition taking only five points from 33 available.

Arsene Wenger’s side have lost only twice in 16 to teams below them in the standings. They have scored two-thirds of their goals at home.

While Arsenal were less than impressive in the cup they overcame Brighton and Hove Albion but Liverpool were dumped out by Oldham who are 55 places and two divisions below them in league standings.

They teams between them have only one league draw since November.

Team News

Mikel Arteta is out for the home side with a calf injury while Gervinho is playing the Cup of Nations. While Brendan Rodgers has no new fitness concerns for his squad.

Verdict

Neither side would leave you with much hair if you are a fan and their unpredictable nature makes it hard to call but home advantage is important to Arsenal and they are the more likely winners.

I fancy both teams to score at 8/13 and this could be a bloodbath so over 3.5 goals at 7/4 both prices with Ladbrokes.

Head-to-Head

For a team that draws so often it is surprising to see that Everton have only drawn once with West Brom in their meetings this century. During their fruitful early season spell West Brom won this tie 2-0 at the Hawthorns and are one of only three sides to take Everton’s scalp this season.

They have only won once at Everton in six visits in “modern times” a 4-1 victory in late 2010.

Victor Anichebe must enjoy playing West Brom as he has three goals against them including one in each fixture last season.

Stats/Form

Depite their reasonable form the Baggies are now four games without a win. They have conceded in every away game.

Everton have been abysmal in putting away chances in their past two league games but their FA Cup win may have banished that bout of poor confidence and given that the Baggies are allergic to away clean sheets they should manage one today.

It is ludicrous to think that someone has drawn more often than Everton but last night Stoke forged one ahead in that race that nobody tries to win and Everton can get back to 12 all tonight.

Team News

The transfer speculation surrounding Peter Odemwingie coupled with the time off given by manager Steve Clarke means he is not available. They will also be without midfielder Zoltan Gera through injury.

Both Irish Internationals Seamus Coleman and Darren Gibson are out through injury for the Toffees.

Verdict

Simply a draw is the best option until Everton can manage to start scoring more freely. Priced at 16/5 with Bet365

Head-to-Head

Spurs won this meeting last season with two Gareth Bale goals but Norwich then won at White Hart Lane and managed a draw there earlier this campaign also. Their League Cup game resulted in a win for the Canaries in October.

All three meetings have been level at half time.

Stats/Form

With the exception of Liverpool no side have given Norwich a hiding at home but they have only managed one point since that fabulous run of 10 unbeaten from late October to mid December. Having been in the top seven are now 13^th and win is badly needed to steady the ship.

Without keeper John Ruddy they are not the same defensively with only one clean sheet.

AVBs side are unbeaten in seven and only Everton conquered them in their last 11. They got out of jail with a deserved point at home to Man United in their last league game but lost to Leeds in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Most of their goals came away from home so you can see them in an attacking mindset tonight again. Jermaine Defoe has scored nine of his 10 goals against bottom half opposition so he is a likely scorer tonight (5/1 first goalscorer)

Team News

As well as the mentioned John Ruddy, Steve Morrison is on the long term injury list at Carrow Road.

William Gallas is out with a calf injury, Sandro on the long term casualty list and Adebayor is in Africa otherwise no new team news for Spurs.

Verdict

It is hard to see Norwich getting something from this although their home record means they deserve respect. Tottenham took a blow on the weekend but their main focus is the league and can win without conceding (9/4 Ladbrokes). The Half-time/Full-Time to be Draw/Tottenham -4/1 William Hill.

And a repeat of last season’s result is not unforeseeable so Tottenham 2-0 Correct Score at 10/1 with Bet Victor.

Head-to-Head

Chelsea had two goalies stretchered off in the first ever meeting between these two, a game that would have been more at home in the NFL where a last second goal line clearance from Drogba gave the Blues all three points on that occasion.

Reading failed to get the better of them in five meetings and lost 4-2 in their August meeting.

Stats/Form

Reading have won three of their last four and are in good heart, they came from behind in two of those. They put four past Sheffield United in the cup and are showing the kind of form that saw them win last years Championship.

They shipped a lot of goals to the Champions League sides bar City so they are vulnerable to an in form Chelsea.

Only a shock defeat to QPR saw defeat for Chelsea in their past eight league games and they have won their last four away. In a crazy FA cup weekend Chelsea were held to a draw by Brentford.

Team News

No new selection worries for Reading.

Chelsea will be without Petr Cech who infamously suffered a head fracture at this ground that resulted in the donning of a scrum cap in every game hence. David Luiz is also injured, while Hazard (suspended) and Moses and Mikel (International Duty) are also unavailable.

Verdict

26 points is the gap in the table and despite their good run Reading will have more realistic targets. However the week has had some strange results so far and life will not be easy for Rafa’s team. 

The greater firepower should win it for Chelsea as it did it their meeting earlier this campaign, if they escape without a goalie stretchered off they will not be too disappointed!

 *Fulham-West Ham and Man United-Southampton omitted.

All Filler No Thriller in Tuesday's League Games

Yes I feel your pain upon reading the fixture. There are no teams in the league suffering worse runs of results or playing as poorly as these two.

Both have no wins since Santa visited and if he were to call again they would ask for plenty of coal as both sides need to shovel plenty on and get chugging along fast, if circumstances remain unchanged they could soon be engulfed by the relegation zone.

Head-to-Head

It favours Villa in recent times. Newcastle have not won at Villa Park since Shearer retired and it was Charles N’Zogbia, now on the opposite team of course, who scored the winner in 2006. The Magpies have only plundered a point at this ground in five visits since.

Stats/Form

It’s not all sunshine for Villa though, they have managed only one goal in their last six at home. Newcastle’s away record is equally as dire; they have only a solitary point in their last six games on the road.

Team News

Alan Pardew has chartered his own Dundirk style operation with five new signings all coming from France. If they can put it together on their first time in the side then Newcastle have a golden opportunity to stop their rot.

Villa got their first win since December 15 when they beat Bradford last week but ultimately exited the Capital One Cup.

Verdict

This game is very difficult to call but the obvious call is to think Newcastle’s new squad members, many of whom have experience in European competitions, can swing it in their favour.

Last May this game became one of the most famous in Premier League history and rightly so.

Head-to-Head

Mancini’s side have won the three meetings in the past two years. They have registered three goals in all of those encounters while QPR have managed to score each time also.

Stats/Form

QPR are unbeaten in the league in 2013 but MK Dons - as my grandfather used to say, “skinned the arse o’ them” - on the weekend. City are in great form, they have not conceded a goal this year in all competitions and have won four of those by more than one goal.

Rangers have struggled to net more than one a game, only managing to do so three times in their 23 games.

Team News

Harry Redknapp will have more attacking options available to him than any time since he took over as Zamora returns from injury and DJ Campbell has returned from loan.

The Manchester side will be without two of their key men. Vincent Kompany is injured while Yaya Toure is on international duty. That could seriously weaken them and QPR could sense an opportunity to stifle another top side after doing so to Chelsea and Spurs.

Verdict

The absence of two talismen for Man City will give QPR hope but given the current form they are in it is difficult to see the league’s lowest side stopping them. I would not risk any money on a bet for this as the trends and the form are contradicting one another.

“Oh boy are we in for a treat on Tuesday night” did I hear you say. Some of these fixtures look like ones to miss in truth but all premier league games as they are a life-force in themselves and thats why it is a great league.

Head-to-Head

If asked to predict this one at a glance many of you would say “Draw” and history would suggest it is the most likely result again. In their nine meetings in the top flight an amazing six have been draws. There have been four penalties scored in the last 3 meetings between these two and it always seem to have a referee who is not shy is handing out cards and only one of their nine meetings has had less than three yellows.

Stats/Form

Tony Pulis will be eager to steady the ship again after his side have not won a game in 90 minutes in any of their six in all competitions. Wigan should be a more manageable prospect than Chelsea, Man City and away to an in-form Swansea.

Chelsea are the only team to win at The Britannia where Stoke had enjoyed a great record this season, in their first nine home games they conceded just four times (2 were pens and 1 OG) but have conceded seven in their last two (3 OGs, 1 pen, 1 practical OG).

For a team in their position Wigan have done well away from home gaining three wins. They gained a few wins in the FA Cup since the turn of the year but they were 1-0 wins over teams that are mid table in League One and The Conference.

Team News

Wigan are without their main attacking force Kone who is at the African Cup of Nations and Ivan Ramis is still out with a knee injury.

Stoke have no new injury concerns.

Verdict

The absence of Kone is a major factor considering he has scored six and directly assisted five of The Lattics goals. Stoke should have too much for them and can win this on a small margin. They are worth a small investment at 6/5 with Bet365.

Also on the bookings front I think it is worth buying the Booking Index points on the Spread at 38. And on William Hill’s 90mins, Corners, Cards treble – Stoke win, under 10 corners and 4-6 cards looks value at 8/1.

Both sides come in here in excellent form and neither have been easy to get the better of in the last few weeks, with that in mind it could be the best match on this Tuesday evening.

Head-to-Head

In their meeting earlier this season Sunderland had the lead twice before having to settle for a point at The Liberty Stadium. Swansea failed to score in both meetings last season. There is not much recent history between these two as they had not met in 30 years until a year ago.

Stats/Form

Swansea have scored almost two-thirds of their goals at home this term. Sunderland’s record against teams in the top half is way below that of points gained against bottom half sides, they have only taken the spoils in one for their 12 matches against teams currently in that category.

Swansea have been very tight away from home, nobody has a better defensive record on the road with only 9 goals against. They have not been defeated in the league in their last six and have only suffered defeat twice in their last 14.

Team News

Carlos Cuellar and Danny Rose are doubtful for Martin O’Neill’s side with hamstring injuries. While Michael Laudrup has no new injury troubles.

Verdict

Sunderland have won their last two but Swansea are in almost unbeatable form even against the top teams. They seem to keep it tight away from home and if there is to be a winner they are the more likely.

Under 2.5 goals looks very likely (8/11 Bet365) while the Draw 21/10 (Bet365/Boyles) and Swansea Draw No Bet (6/5 Ladbrokes) are all worthy of strong consideration.

Super Sunday Preview: The Higher Ranking to Prove Their Power

THE BLUES lost a 2-0 lead to draw with Southampton in midweek and will quickly look to rectify that and do a double over their London rivals this season.

That game ended The Gunners good start to the campaign and they have been in and out since. The same is true of Chelsea who are prone to the odd stinker but showed against Stoke last week that they are still capable of getting in the grove (not a deserved winning margin though).

The recent head to head of these teams is rather even and Arsenal pulled off a huge 5-3 victory in this fixture a season ago. Van Persie was their key man that day and without him the bigger sides have shut them out.

Liverpool are the only top 10 side they scored more than once against and only one they also beat away from The Emirates.

Although Chelsea have a better record on their travels than at home, tthe leaders, Man United, and the trailers, QPR, are the only two clubs to win at Stamford Bridge this campaign. Arsenal took a long time to find their feet against Man City last week and Chelsea are unlikely to afford them any easier an opportunity.

Arteta, Rosicky (injury) and Gervinho (African Cup Of Nations) are absent for Arsene Wenger and from Rafa Benitez side Victor Moses and Mikel are playing in Africa.

Chelsea will probably prevail and if you fancy them to win then you will not complain about the Even money available in a couple of places. Bookings are usually not scarce in these encounters and Im willing to trust the bookmakers opinion and back the spread on 4-6 cards inclusive at 10/11 with William Hill

EARLIER this season Tottenham gained a victory at Old Trafford, the last time they had done Brad Friedel was their only player who had been born.

United have only failed to win twice in the league in nearly four months since. Spurs are on a good enough run themselves, only Everton taking their scalp in their last 10.

The home side have failed to score more than once in this corresponding meeting since the 2001/02 season and are 11 seasons without beating Fergie’s side at White Hart Lane.

The United team will be dead keen to gain revenge as the manner in which they lost in Spetember did not reflect their foothold in the game. Vidic is now back and the Manhester side are far more resolute since only conceded once in the three league games the Serbian’s return.

Tottenham will have limited attacking options with Adebayor gone to Africa and the firepower United have will make life difficult for them. AVBs side excelled themselves once already in beaten them in the reverse fixture but I can’t foresee it again.

Im going to take a stab on Man United to win by a couple of goals, they are 7-2 with Paddy Power with the -1 Handicap and history suggests that is not too hard to do here.

Reading Into The Form, The Royal's Look a Good Bet

                     

PERENNIAL headline maker Luis Suarez has scored a hat-trick in the last two meetings with Norwich one of those was in Liverpool’s 5-2 victory at Carrow Road in September.

Norwich kept their first clean sheet since John Ruddy got injured against Newcastle last weekend but rarely threatened with a clear cut chance in a dour 0-0.

With exception to the 3-1 loss to Aston Villa, Brendan Rogers side have only conceded once in seven games at home since September.

Norwich have fallen behind in seven of their away matches and have also been behind at half time in six. Liverpool have done the half time/full time in the lead in 6/8 of their victories so are taken to do the HT/FT at 5/6 generally.

      

A NUMBER of years ago Diomanzi Kamara became a Fulham hero in this game, he scored twice to pull Fulham who were 20 minutes from being swallowed by relegation. In fairness to the Cottagers who usually have a poor record when away from the bank of the Thames, The Etihad is one place they have a decent record.

Last season was the first time they lost a game here since 2006. Manchester City came from behind to overhaul Martin Jol’s side in their meeting in late September and on recent form you would have to expect them to win again.

Vincent Kompany won his appeal against a red card received at Arsenal but City are without Yaya Toure who is on International Duty with Ivory Coast for the next few weeks. Augero is a doubt with the hamstring injury that has kept out since New Year’s Day. Fulham have no new injury concerns.

The London side have been within a goal or drew with all of the top 6 bar Tottenham and I think backing them with the +2 handicap will give you a good run for your money at 11/10 and the +1 Handicap Draw at 3/1 both with Bet365.

ALAN Pardew can be thankful for his luck for once this season. Senegal were disqualified from the 2013 African Cup on Nations and Shola Ameobi was not selected by Nigeria so he will have first team forwards available.

Cheick Tiote is absent on account of the Africa competition and Ben Arfa, Danny Simpson and Steven Taylor are still injured so the Geordies are still weakened considerably. They have only taken eight of a possible 39 points in the past three months.

Reading on the other hand were never better, I said last week their game against West Brom would probably not be great but I couldn’t have been more wrong, it was a fantastic match where Reading scored three late goals to perform a heroic escape with a win.

The reverse tie finished 2-2 earlier in the campaign with Newcastle relying on Demba Ba for their brace. Reading have an extremely poor away record, picking up only two points on the road, one of those at basement club QPR.

Reading have scored 70% of their goals at home but will have their tails up after last week and may throw caution to the wind. Without Ba and Ben Arfa Newcastle will be relying heavily on Cisse for goals and it remains to be seen can he find them.

There is not a whole lot between these in the table and The Royals will not have a better opportunity to get an away victory especially as they would feel they should have won the reverse fixture.

The verdict is Reading Draw No Bet at 5/2 with Paddy Power.

WIGAN got a much needed confidence boosting win over League One Bournemouth in the FA Cup in midweek while Sunderland suffered a disappointing loss to Bolton.

The Black Cats won this 1-0 earlier on in the term and have been doing ok since mid-December winning four times, Wigan have won only once in the league in same time..

Martin O’Neill’s side have a mixed away record, but their record against bottom half sides reads DWDLWDLWWW. Compare this to only one win against top half opposition.

Wigan really suffer from the January blues, they have only won a lowly three league games during the month in their seven seasons in the division, and all 3 of those wins came against sides that are no longer in the top flight.

On that evidence Sunderland +1 Handicap 4/6 generally and Draw No Bet at 13/8 with Bet365 look solid shouts.

BOTH sides are hampered by injury but QPR could win that race with a number of their concerns possible to return.

West Ham fared ok but ultimately lost out against Man United in the FA Cup but QPR have done well also, winning their cup game and getting a win and a draw in their last two league games, also against London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham respectively.

Harry Redknapp appears to have worked his special ability of turning around a plummeting club and get them marching together to safety.

Sam Alardyce’s side won at Loftus Road in October but QPR are a better team since the turn of the year. If Chamahk can rediscover his old form he could be a big player for West Ham after moving on loan.

I wouldn’t expect a classic but West Ham are not easy to get the better of at Upton Park and a draw would be the most likely result all things considered. But I would not venture a bet.

TODAY’S visitors have gone from formidable to embarrassing in their last three league games, they scored effectively 4 of the oppositions goals for them in their last two home games and were wiped at Man City.

 They have failed to score and conceded seven recently, admittedly against Champions League sides.

The Swans are enjoying a decent time of things, they are very difficult to break down. Peter Crouch scored twice to give The Potters victory in September and the two clubs have very similar records since, losing only the occasional game and drawing plenty of games.

The Welsh side won this game last season but Stoke will be determined to get back to the formidable manner in which they operated for most of the season.

It is hard to expect a goalfest, Stoke’s away games usually have two goals or less, both Manchester sides and Wigan are the only sides to put more than one past Asmir Begovic.

Under 2.5 goals looks highly likely on all evidence but something tells me that Tony Pulis could send out a more attacking side this weekend and Stoke can bounce back. An extremely hard game to call as you would expect with a point separating them in the table.

Both sides seem to enjoy drawing and why fight the urge, get on at 12/5 with Bet365.

The home side have been playing good stuff recently so it is surprising to see they have lost their last three, especially as they could have been expected to win both. Aston Villa on the other hand it is no surprise at all to see they are winless since before the Christmas programme.

Romelu Lukaku has been a tough opponent this season and scored twice last week. Steve Clarke will take plenty of positives from last week’s game but will also be eager to see his side more resolute at the back.

This is a derby game and may be what Villa need to try and get them going again. The sides drew 1-1 in their first meeting this year but Paul Lambert would probably grasp your arm off at an offer of such a result this time.

Villa are the leagues joint lowest scorers but if there is a chink in West Brom’s armour it is their weakened midfield through injury/international duty.

All things considered West Brom are expected to take all three points as their local rivals have not beaten them for the last two seasons. 8/11 is a about the right price with Bet365 that the Baggies will not disappoint three times in a row.

Tough to Call in the Football, a hotly contested weekend of games

QPR V Tottenham

A London Derby where Harry Redknapp faces the club that sacked him last June. The home side pulled off the shock of the season when beating the then in form Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham won this meeting earlier in the year after coming from a goal down. QPR won this corresponding fixture last season on their late survival charge and they would greatly welcome back to back wins.

Spurs though have scored in every away game since they lost here in April while QPR really need to grease their goal-scoring hinges if they are to climb of the bottom rung of the table.

Rangers held out and caught out Chelsea but while they may manage it for a while here I think AVBs side can get the better of them.

The Half-time/Full-Time to be Draw/Tottenham at 4/1 with Paddy Power looks great value and a win for Spurs at 10/11 with William Hill is too good to pass up.

Aston Villa V Southampton

Safe at this point to call this a relegation battle with both sides less than a point from the drop zone. Both performed well in their last league games but both were well beaten in their recent cup games.

Southampton got their first win of the season by thrashing Villa 4-1 at St Mary’s and given the current form of Villa you would not altogether rule out a repeat result. Following five straight away losses for Nigel Adkins side at the start of the season they have taken at least a point from three of their last four on the road.

The Saints have a few injury worries coming into this so could be vulnerable if Aston Villa can put their game face on.

The historical record between these two clubs is very even and this game should be no different, Southampton are on a run of draws and could extend that here.

Everton V Swansea

On a weekend of what on paper are very tight games to call this one is no different. These two are among the hardest teams to beat in the division.

Everton inflicted on Swansea their heaviest defeat of the season with a 3-0 win at the Liberty Stadium. Michael Laudrup’s side have been better defensively away from home and have managed more wins on the road than in Wales, and transferred that to the Capital One Cup with a win at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Everton lost their unbeaten home record to Chelsea the last time they played at Goodison Park but are having a great season in the main.

I expect this game to be hotly contested from the off and has the potential to be a fantastic game. Everton have more in attack than Swansea and should be able to break them down at some point, one goal could be enough to win this and I believe Everton will be the ones to get it. Swansea have not scored against Everton in three games since their promotion and Everton to win to nil at 7/4 is the value.

Fulham V Wigan

The Cottagers gained a somewhat surprise win over West Brom at the Hawthorns to put an end to a tough run. Wigan were, to quote Mick McCarthy from a few years back, “absolutely mullered” by Manchester United on their last league appearance.

Martin Jol’s side won this meeting in September and have a very good record against the Lattics who have not beaten the London side since 2006. Fulham have scored exactly twice in this fixture for the past four seasons.

This campaign the two sides between them have played in 11 games that finished 2-1 including their first meeting this term. I expect a similar result here again for two sides that are usually very bound by trends.

Fulham at Evens to win the game at 15/2 for a 2-1 correct score are the call.

Norwich V Newcastle

Both teams are on a run they would dearly love to end. Newcastle have lost nine of their last 11 league matches and are without a win away from home and Norwich have lost their last 4 since going 10 unbeaten.

The Canaries are five points ahead of the Magpies in the table and deservedly so. Alan Pardew could welcome Cabaye and Ben Arfa back into the side after injury and following the departure of star man Demba Ba they will be needed. Norwich striker Grant Holt could be fit to start following two games out with a hamstring injury.

Newcastle won their early season meeting 1-0 with Ba getting the all important goal but a lot has happened in both sides’ seasons since.

Liverpool, Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs are the only ones who took full points from Carrow Road since 2011 so that tells you the task Newcastle face.

This game will depend on who makes it back fit for both sides but at this point Norwich look the stronger. They can end their run of league defeats after their confidence boosting FA Cup win and are a good price at 5/4 to do so.

Reading V West Brom

If you are picking which game to watch on the red button this will be the lowest in your order of preference. The Royals have the odd island of good form in their ocean of harsh reality this season, one of those came around Christmas time but their work is cut out for them here.

It is no accident that West Brom are only three points away from the Europa League places. They were surprise losers against Fulham on New Year’s Day but would be even more surprise losers if they went down here.

The Baggies beat Reading 1-0 at The Hawthorns in September but historically have a rather poor record at The Madejski with only one win in 9 visits. With that in mind a bit of insurance for betting purposes may be wise and West Brom Draw No Bet at 8/11 with Hills is the verdict.

Stoke City V Chelsea

The Potters have a reputation of taking the scalps of the bigger sides at the Brittannia but Chelsea are not one of those. Since 2008 they have only taken two of a possible 27 points versus Chelsea who have taken the lion’s share of 23 in their meetings and Tony Pulis’s side managed the meagre 3 goals in all their meetings in those years.

One thing that will be hugely in favour of the home side is the absence of Petr Cech through injury, he has coped so well over the seasons with the shelling that is usually received when playing Stoke.

Rafa Benetiz has come under fire from fans and media once again following their defeat by Swansea at home in the League Cup and QPR in the league.

It is a mild surprise to see Chelsea odds on to win at Stoke who are unbeaten this season at home. It took a late Ashley Cole goal to gain victory in their meeting in September and a dour affair is almost assured.

Only once have Chelsea loose against Stoke and handed out a walloping but mostly the great Didier Drogba was the match winner. Now without a forward player of his status and suitability to the opposition they could struggle.

Under 2.5 goals at 7/10 and Stoke with a goal headstart at 17/20 with Stoke sponsors Bet365 both look worthy of a punt.

Sunderland V West Ham 

As I alluded to earlier in the piece we have games that are very hard to call and this may be the hardest on Saturday. In 66 meetings since 1923 Sunderland have one win more than West Ham in their encounters. It is the London side who hold the advantage in the league table though.

They drew a goal apiece 4 months ago and both drew in the FA Cup last weekend, West Hams was more substantial as theirs came against Man United. The return of a number of players from injury and suspension since their last league outing has boosted Sam Allardyce’s side.

Martin O’Neill has plenty of injury worries especially defensively and West Ham’s good set piece ability could expose that. It is a game that is too tough to call given that Sunderland have home advantage and no matter what the result it would be no surprise as anything could happen.