Rafa’s recovery record must continue against Sunderland

Liverpool/Sunderland, Tues 8pm, SkySpts2, Free Bets, Best Odds

Liverpool have recovered from their last four Premier League defeats to win their next game. Sunderland discovered this habit the hard way last season when Rafael Benitez’s side bounced back from a 1-0 loss at West Ham to beat the Black Cats 3-0 at Anfield. Will the Reds bounce back again?

» Liverpool have won just two of their last eight domestic home games.

» However, Benitez’s side have won their last five encounters with Sunderland whilst shutting them out on each occasion. The hosts are 5/4 with Ladbrokes to win to nil on Tuesday.

» Sunderland are unbeaten in four Premier League matches, which is their longest run without a top-flight loss since November 2002. The fourth match of that run saw them grab a goalless draw at Anfield.

Posted: March 2nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

West Brom have a chance to show they can still survive

WBA/Man City, 1.30pm Sunday, Sky Spts 1, Best Odds, Free Bets

With Sam Allardyce standing a strong chance of enjoying a winning start with Blackburn against Stoke, West Brom fans are already aware that they are almost certain to be bottom at Christmas just as they were four seasons ago before becoming the survive from such a position. Having beaten the curse once it won’t hold as much fear for them but they will want to stay close to the teams just outside the relegation zone and right now it’s billionaires Manchester City who occupy 17th place. Here are a few stats that suggest that the Baggies, 3.5 on Betfair, can end their ten match winless streak by beating Mark Hughes’ underachievers on Sunday:

» West Brom have faced Manchester City at home four times this decade and have won three of those encounters. Each of those wins came without City scoring, which can be backed at 5/1 with Paddy Power.

» The Baggies were also victorious in their last home game against a Mark Hughes managed side, beating Blackburn 2-0 in the 2005-06 season.

Posted: December 19th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment