The gap is starting to widen between Manchester City and Leicester City. Heading into the holiday week, the Citizens find themselves six points back of the Foxes, but they should get a bit of a reprieve this week against Sunderland in a match which should easily provide three points.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester City -500
Sunderland +1200
Draw +600
Over/Under 3 (over -115)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Sunderland is largely looked upon as one of the worst two or three teams in the Premier League this year, and it is favored to be relegated.
Manchester City, at least from a betting perspective, it still the favored side in most EPL matches, and this isn't an exception to the rule. The Citizens are lined at -500 and -2 on the Asian Handicap, meaning nothing less than a three-goal win would cover this spread.
As a result, the total has to be significantly higher than usual at 3 with the vig on the over being a little juicy as well at -115.
KEY INJURIES
Injuries have to be concerning here for the Citizens. All three of Samir Nasri, Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany were supposed to be back from their various injuries before Christmas, and none of the three have made it back yet. All three are again questionable for this match, but we've heard this song and dance before without seeing any of the three on the pitch this month.
Jack Rodwell has been suspended for this match for the Black Cats after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last week. Erik Larsson is still out with a knee injury, while Lee Cattermole is going to be a question mark. He was due back just after Christmas according to his initial prognosis from his back injury, but he has yet to get back in training as of Tuesday.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We have to keep our heads up because they are creating a gap. It was vital to score because I know this team quite well. I think we played quite well in general, of course we conceded some chances, but apart from that, we could have scored before they did." – Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna on what went wrong in the team's loss to Arsenal and the importance of that defeat
RECENT FORM
Sunderland has just two results in nine matches away from home and six results in 17 matches thus far this term. The Black Cats have really looked overmatched for the most part, and it's tough to see how Sam Allardyce is going to get them out of this hole. Sunderland has no points to show for its work in its last three matches, though it should be noted that the team has faced both Arsenal and Chelsea in this stretch.
City's defense has been lacking of late. The Sky Blues have conceded at least one goal in eight matches in a row across all competitions, averaging 1.6 goals per game allowed in that stretch. They're only 4-1-3 in that stretch, and though that would be an accomplishment for Sunderland, it's a huge disappointment for a soccer team of Manchester City's caliber.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
For as badly as we'd love to take the goals in this game, we can't see Sunderland having any shot at points, especially if Cattermole doesn't end up playing. Sure, the schedule has been tough for the Black Cats, but this match isn't any easier. Sights will be surely set on home dates with Liverpool and Aston Villa from here, as those matches are much more winnable and are the ones which have to see results if they're going to stay up in 2016-17.
Manchester City's defense will finally come through on Saturday and post a clean sheet for the first time in months, but we still aren't thrilled about doing anything but backing the under.
Manchester City 2, Sunderland 0
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