- Sunderland can extend their unbeaten home run in the Championship to 13 matches
- Portsmouth's away fixtures this term have averaged 3.5 goals per game
- Recommended bet: Sunderland to win 3-1

Portsmouth kicked off 2025 with a 4-0 home victory over Swansea, having beaten Coventry 4-1 in their previous fixture at Fratton Park.

However, Pompey's away form on their return to the second tier has been far less impressive and they face a daunting trip to promotion contenders Sunderland on Sunday.

The Black Cats are unbeaten in 12 Championship matches at the Stadium of Light and their 2-1 win over high-flying Sheffield United on New Year's Day left them just two points off the automatic-promotion places.

Team news

Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard is not ready to return to action and Alan Browne, Chris Rigg, Romaine Mundle, Ian Poveda, Tommy Watson, Ahmed Abdullahi and Salis Abdul Samed remain sidelined.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho may stick with the team that started Wednesday's impressive home win over Swansea. 

Jordan Williams and Jacob Farrell will be assessed but Ibane Bowatt, Regan Poole, Harvey Blair, Kusini Yengi, Conor Shaughnessy and Mark O'Mahoney are injured.

The stats

Four of Sunderland's last six league wins have been by a 2-1 scoreline.

Both teams have scored in six of the Black Cats' last seven Championship matches.

Sunderland have conceded only eight goals in 12 home games in the league this season.

Portsmouth have lost their last three Championship away fixtures.

Eight of Pompey's last nine league matches have featured over 2.5 goals.

Portsmouth have conceded 29 goals in 12 away matches this term.

Prediction

Sunderland are still going well in the Championship promotion race despite a shortage of clean sheets recently.

The Black Cats, who will be missing influential centre-back Dan Ballard against Portsmouth, have conceded in all four of their wins since the start of December and it could be a similar story on Sunday.

All three goals in Sunderland's 2-1 home victory against promotion rivals Sheffield United this week came in the first 35 minutes and the 3-1 correct score is worth chancing when they host Pompey.

Like Sunderland, Portsmouth are far stronger at home than they are on the road, winning four of their last five games at Fratton Park and scoring 14 goals.

They drew 3-3 at title favourites Leeds in their first game of the season and are capable of getting on the scoresheet at the Stadium of Light.

Keeping Sunderland quiet may be beyond the visitors, however, as they have lost their last three away matches, going down 4-0 at Derby, 2-1 at Watford and 3-0 at Bristol City. 

Back Sunderland to win 3-1 at 10/1 with LiveScore Bet

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