FA Cup Betting: Black Cats can maul the Boro

FA Cup / Frank Gregan / 28 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Stephane Sessegnon is a man in form

"The Boro defence will be up against a Premier League attack that creates a lot of chances and they could be in for a difficult afternoon."

Sunderland are on the up under Martin O'Neill and with Middlesbrough suffering a drop in form local bragging rights are likely to go the way of the Premier League outfit, says Frank Gregan

Sunderland [1.67] Middlesbrough [6.0] The Draw [4.1]
Kick Off 15:30, Sunday 13:30hrs, live on ITV1.

The Wear/Tees derby may not carry as much kudos as the big North East clash between the Geordies and the Mackems but there is still an abundance of local pride at stake. Both managers will be hoping to grab a place in the last 16 of a competition that keeps the season buzzing for the country's lesser lights. You would expect the atmosphere to be electric but it might be a little more subdued because of the restriction on the number of tickets that Boro have been allocated which has angered many of the visiting supporters.

Martin O'Neill will be without the services of Nicklas Bendtner who suffered a broken nose during last week's win against Swansea but he should be able to welcome back Fraizer Campbell who has been out with a knee injury. Middlesbrough's ill-discipline will cost manager Tony Mowbray the services of both Julio Arca and Kevin Thompson, both of whom received their marching orders last week during the 3-1 defeat at Coventry.

Match Odds: Sunderland [1.67] Middlesbrough [6] The Draw [4.1]
Sunderland have been invigorated by O'Neill's appointment whilst Middlesbrough's current form is dire having lost their last three league games and they won't be inspired by the Opta fact that they have only won two of their last 13 FA Cup games against Premier League opponents. All in all, it's difficult to see past a home win but the price is too skinny to make a healthy profit unless you accept a heavy liability. A Sunderland win as the first leg of the Sunday double in the multiple section could get you off to a flyer though.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Middlesbrough have conceded eight goals is in their last three Championship games which suggests that the [1.88] available on 'overs' looks a stand out bet. This is the kind of game that both managers will want to win but neither of them will fancy a replay which suggests that the teams will be going for it from the off.

The Boro defence will be up against a Premier League attack that creates a lot of chances and they could be in for a difficult afternoon. Don't let the absence of Bendtner put you off, (images of a cow's behind and a banjo spring to mind) this tie looks set to have goals in it. Over 3.5 goals is also a very tempting price at [3.9].

Asian Handicap
Given that the Boro have twice conceded three goals recently and that their resources are stretched to the limit the big price recommendation in this game is Sunderland -2.5 goals which should be available at odds around [7]. Sometimes these games don't pan out as you expect and open, free flowing play gets bogged down in the middle of the park but Sunderland will probably have too much for the Boro and could cause them all sorts of problems down the flanks.

Sending Off?
Take one fierce local derby, stir in one of the most passionate managers in English football, add to the pot a team that had two players sent off last week and the tough tackling Lee Catermole, one of the most competitive midfielders in the country and we might just have all the ingredients for a sending off at odds of [4.0]
.
Best Bet
Back over 2.5 goals at [2.08]
Other Recommendation
Back Sunderland -2.5 goals in the Asian handicap at [7.0].