Sunderland vs Middlesbrough prediction, betting tips and odds: Boro can maintain derby dominance

Where to watch Sunderland vs Middlesbrough

You can watch Sunderland vs Middlesbrough in the Championship at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 21, live on Sky Sports Football.

Match prediction & best bet

Middlesbrough draw no bet
1pt Evs general

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Sunderland vs Middlesbrough odds

Sunderland 29-20
Middlesbrough 15-8
Draw 12-5

Odds correct at time of publishing

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough predictions

Middlesbrough have won seven of the last ten Wear-Tees derbies and are worth backing to silence Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The opening six weeks of the season have been positive for Sunderland, who have impressed under their new head coach Regis Le Bris.

Victories in the first four games catapulted Sunderland to the top of the Championship although they had a setback last Saturday when they lost 3-2 at Plymouth.

Le Bris was not too critical of his players after the Devon defeat but he needs them to deliver a stronger performance against Middlesbrough, who sit tenth in the table and probably deserve to be a fair bit higher.

Boro's shot count of 94 and expected-goals tally of 10.16 are the highest and second highest in the division so there is plenty for head coach Michael Carrick to be pleased about.

Carrick is less happy with his team's inability to turn dominance into regular victories but there is obvious potential for Boro to get more consistent results.

Boro were ruthless when they won 3-0 at Leeds in the EFL Cup first round and it looks a matter of time before they show a more clinical touch in the league.

Winning at Sunderland won't be easy but the Teessiders make the short trip with a stronger squad with key duo Jonny Howson and Rav van den Berg on the comeback trail.

Sunderland can be hugely satisfied with their start which has been turbo-charged by three goals from exciting attacker Romaine Mundle.

However, their loss to Plymouth was a sobering experience and another reality check may swiftly follow.

Key stat

Middlesbrough have won seven of their last ten matches against Sunderland

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough team news

Sunderland
Sunderland are without Aji Alese, Niall Huggins, Jensen Seelt, Alan Browne and Salis Abdul Samed but Dan Ballard has been cleared to play on.

Middlesbrough
Jonny Howson and Rav van den Berg are pushing to be back involved but Tom Smith, Alex Bangura , Marcus Forss, Darragh Lenihan and Dael Fry are ruled out and Lukas Engel is a doubt.

Probable teams

Sunderland (4-3-3): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin; Rigg, Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Mayenda, Mundle.
Subs: Isidor, Watson, Rusyn, Hjelde, Aleksic, Mepham, Samuel-Ogunsuyi.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Dieng; Ayling, Edmundson, Clarke, Neto Borges; Barlaser, Hackney; Jones, Conway, Azaz; Latte Lath.
Subs: Doak, Morris, Hamilton, Burgzorg, McGree, Van den Berg, Howson.

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