Swansea City vs Sunderland predictions: Swans set to thwart Black Cats
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- Swansea are unbeaten in four, drawing twice
- Sunderland have drawn six of their last eight league games
- Recommended Bet: Draw
Sunderland have fallen five points off the pace in the Championship title race following a run of only one win in eight and they are unlikely to have things all their own way at an improving Swansea.
The Black Cats inherit a young squad under an inexperienced manager in Regis Le Bris and some cracks are starting to show, especially away from the Stadium of Light, with them having failed to win in six of their last eight road trips.
In Swansea, they head to a team who are up to ninth following a four-match unbeaten run and who have been pretty reliable at home, suffering only two defeats in nine under manager Luke Williams.
Team news
Welsh hosts Swansea have a number of injury concerns with Sam Parker, Oliver Cooper, Josh Ginnelly and Andrew Fisher all confirmed absentees.
Sunderland have plenty on the sidelines, too, with Alan Browne and Romaine Mundle long-term absentees and Niall Huggins and Jenson Seelt also not expected back until the new year.
Ahmed Abdullahi, Salis Abdul Samed and Ian Poveda are also expected to be missing with Luke O'Nien a doubt due to illness.
The stats
Swansea have won five of their last six league games against Sunderland (D1), while they have lost just two of their last 22 league matches against the Black Cats.
Sunderland have won only two of their last eight away league games, failing to score in three of their last four road trips.
City are unbeaten in four league matches and both teams have scored in each of their last five league fixtures.
The Wearsiders have drawn six of their last eight league games, with three of their last four away outings ending all-square.
Both teams have scored in three of the last four Championship meetings between these sides.
Prediction
For one reason or another, with a long list of first-team absentees potentially to blame, Sunderland are going through a sticky period in the Championship and one win in eight has seen them lose ground on leaders Sheffield United.
The Black Cats have found things particularly tough on their travels, with their only wins in their last eight road trips coming at Hull and Luton.
However, they have shared the spoils in three of their last four away games and they may have to settle for another point at Swansea, who are up to ninth following a four-match unbeaten run.
The Swans play some slick football under Williams, but four of their nine home league games this season have ended in draws and another stalemate looks a strong possibility against Sunderland.
Only Leeds and Burnley, who sit second and third respectively, have had Swansea’s measure since the end of October and this will be a tricky test for Le Bris' side given their depleted squad at present.
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