There is an exciting midweek Premier League fixture between defending champions Liverpool and Sunderland.
Liverpool are a -135 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one, with a draw available at +285. Sunderland are +360 to pull off the home upset and take all three points. This is my prediction and pick for the Premier League tie between Liverpool and Sunderland.
Sunderland vs. Liverpool Prediction
Liverpool Preview
Liverpool cannot get into any sort of rhythm this season. It has been a rollercoaster of a campaign for the defending champions. Anytime it looks like things are finally starting to click, they manage to take a giant step back. Over their last three games, the Reds picked up a massive win in the Champions League to advance to the Round of 16, had a great performance against Newcastle in the Premier League and then led 1-0 after 75 minutes against Manchester City. If they could have closed that win out, they would be on smooth ground coming into this match. However, Liverpool not only squandered that 1-0 lead against City, but they also lost the match 2-1 and will need to play Sunderland without Dominik Szoboszlai due to the red card he picked up. There is now major concern about whether Liverpool will finish in the Champions League places for next season.
Sunderland Preview
Sunderland have done a fantastic job coming up from the Championship. They are 11th in the Premier League table at the moment. However, they are only three points behind Liverpool, who sit in sixth place. So, a win at the Stadium of Light tonight could catapult them past a handful of teams in the Premier League table. Sunderland are almost assuredly safe from the relegation zone. The rest of the season will be a test to see whether they can get into Europe next season. The Black Cats will look to prove they are here to stay by taking down the defending domestic champions in this match.
Sunderland vs. Liverpool Pick
My best bet for this match is for Sunderland to cover the spread of +0.5 goals. The Black Cats should be able to get a draw or a win in this spot at home. They have performed well against bigger clubs this season, with draws against Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal. Not to mention the fact that they secured a point at Anfield the first time these clubs faced off this season. Sunderland looked up to the task against Liverpool away from home, so in front of what is sure to be a fantastic atmosphere at the Stadium of Light, they should get after the Reds.
Liverpool will massively miss Dominik Szoboszlai in this game. He has comfortably been their best player this season. In a season full of injuries, Szoboszlai has played all over the pitch, most recently at right back as Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong both deal with injuries. Szoboszlai has also saved his team with multiple masterful set-piece goals, like against Manchester City last time out. Without him, Wataru Endo or Curtis Jones is likely to start at right back, and either one would struggle with Simon Adingra down that wing. Sunderland should be able to manage possession, nab at least one goal and get a result at home against Liverpool.
