Sunderland vs Bristol City predictions: More Wearside woe for Black Cats
- Sunderland have lost seven of their last nine Championship games
- Bristol City have never lost at the Stadium of Light
- Recommended bet: Bristol City - Draw no bet
Sunderland and Bristol City seemingly have little to play for heading into the final few weeks of the Championship season, but both will be eyeing all three points when they meet at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Just a place and two points separate Sunderland in 13th from Bristol City in 12th, with neither side standing a realistic chance of mounting a late play-off charge or getting sucked into the relegation battle.
The Black Cats were in the play-off mix just a few weeks ago, but a run of seven defeats and just one win across their last nine Championship fixtures has put paid to those hopes.
Bristol City, meanwhile, have overcome their own mini-slump by winning three of their last four games, including back-to-back successes over promotion-chasing Leicester at home and struggling Plymouth away.
Team news
Sunderland were boosted by the return of leading scorer Jack Clarke as a substitute in Monday's 5-1 home loss to Blackburn and he is now pushing for a start after being sidelined since mid-February with an ankle problem.
The likes of Bradley Dack and Chris Rigg will also be eyeing recalls, with interim head coach Mike Dodds expected to ring the changes after such a heavy defeat, although forward Nazariy Rusyn remains out with a calf issue.
Bristol City's main fitness concern surrounds on-loan Burnley midfielder Scott Twine, who picked up a knock in the Easter Monday win at Plymouth, while Taylor Gardner-Hickman (calf) is the only confirmed absentee.
The stats
Sunderland have lost seven and won just one of their last nine Championship matches, with interim boss Dodds having taken just four points from a possible 21 since succeeding Michael Beale in the dugout.
The Black Cats have also failed to win any of their last four home fixtures, taking just one point during that time, and they were thrashed 5-1 on their own patch by Blackburn on Easter Monday.
After losing four on the bounce as February moved into March, Bristol City have since won three of their last four to move above Sunderland in the standings.
The Robins won the reverse fixture between these two sides 1-0 at Ashton Gate in December and they have not lost on their last three visits to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland's last home victory over Bristol City was a 2-0 success at their old Roker Park ground in December 1994.
Prediction
With seemingly very little to play for and just a couple of points separating them in the table, there does not appear to be much between these two sides, although the momentum is currently with Bristol City.
Not only has Liam Manning seen his side win three of their last four games, but they have kept clean-sheets in all of those successes against Swansea, Leicester and Plymouth (all 1-0 wins).
Sunderland look like a team that just wants the season to end and there could be value in backing the outright Bristol City win at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet.
However, Sunderland did win at Cardiff on Good Friday and the unpredictability of the Championship would suggest it may be better siding with the Robins in the draw no bet market.
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