Sunderland v Millwall: Lions To Tame Black Cats at Stadium of Light

• Away win an appealing price as Lions go to Black Cats

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Sunderland v Millwall
Saturday 3 December 12.30
Live on Sky Sports Football

Frail Black Cats looking for the light

Sunderland went into the World Cup break buoyed by an impressive 2-1 win at Birmingham, but recent performances and results at The Stadium of Light have left a lot to be desired.

Tony Mowbray's side were beaten 1-0 by Cardiff last time they played at home, but it was the manner of that defeat which was really concerning. It was no smash and grab from the Welsh outfit who were by far the better side throughout and the margin of victory could have been greater given Joe Ralls' early missed penalty.

This followed a humbling 4-2 defeat against Burnley in which a 2-0 lead was squandered, compounding some defensive concerns.

The defensive issues aren't limited to the home games; in Sunderland's last five matches they have conceded 9.38 xG, an alarming figure that suggests that some positive recent results might be covering up the cracks.

High-flying Lions posting good numbers

Millwall find themselves in sixth position and have a chance here to jump up to fourth, and it would be hard to argue that this isn't deserved. Gary Rowett's side have lost just one of their last nine games, and have on occasion looked an unstoppable attacking force.

Their xG for in this run shows that it is no lucky hot streak with impressive numbers posted against Rotherham (2.31), Middlesbrough (1.74), Bristol City (3.06), Watford (1.82), West Brom (1.47) and Hull (2.78). That should strike fear into any Championship defence.

Both Millwall and Rowett have earned a reputation for being solid but unspectacular, yet together they are painting a very different picture and could well be dark horses in the Championship if those above them continue to disappoint.

Away side boast the better record

This is the first league meeting between Sunderland and Millwall since the 2017-18 Championship campaign, with both games that term ending in a draw.

Millwall have the better recent record in matches between the two, losing just one of their last six league meetings with Sunderland (W3 D2), a 1-0 loss at the Stadium of Light back in October 2004.

Millwall have often been a side who rely on their form at The Den for success, but they are looking to win consecutive away league games for the first time since March, while they scored as many goals in their 4-2 win at Preston last time out as they had in their previous seven on the road.

Millwall the play with set-piece threat

Odds of 15/8 on the away win make it appealing to back Millwall here.

Shaun Hutchinson should return to their side after injury and is worth backing at 25/1 to score anytime.

Millwall have scored the most set-piece goals in the Championship, while Sunderland's xG against from those situations ranks among the worst. Hutchinson has had seven shots in his 750 minutes so far this season and it's only a matter of time before he joins in the Millwall set-piece party.