Sunderland - Chelsea

Sunderland perhaps made a great deal selling Bent for 24mill, but on the other hand that left them without too much options in attack. For tonight’s game, Danny Welbeck is sidelined which should mean Asamoah Gyan will be alone in front line (new signing Muntari isn’t available). Without intention to put his qualities in doubt, he’s best as support forward and don’t think he alone is capable to seriously harm Chelsea’s back four. Sunderland have very good home record with just one defeat (Blackpool 0-2) out of 11 games. They stayed undefeated against Gunners (1-1) and Man Utd (0-0). However, against Chelsea they have unreal stats. 3-0 won at Stamford ended a run of 11 consecutive defeats (last five at home).

Chelsea started to show some signs of waking up with two league wins against Blackburn at home 2-0 and Bolton away 4-0. Torres won’t be in a team tonight, but his arrival (as well as capture of David Luiz) should be a real boost and recover of title hopes. On the other hand, failure at the Stadium of Light would end it very fast. Chelsea have the best defensive record (19 goals conceded) with Cech impressing lately, Drogba has returned something of his old shape, Anelka scored 6 goals in last 5 league games against Sunderland and I believe in their good display tonight.

Despite that very good record against Sunderland, Chelsea won four of mentioned five at Stadium of Light by one. Bearing in mind their humiliation in reverse fixture, I think it could be something more.

Bet: Chelsea -0.75
Odd: 1.98 Pinnacle, bet365
Stake: 8/10

Support the blog and open a betting account using the banners from the left. You'll get some free bets as well.
Make e-mail subscription and get my picks directly in the mail box.
p

Sunderland - West Ham

After a sublime performance at Stamford Bridge, Sunderland took only a point from next two games. Draw against Everton at home (2-2) and defeat at Wolves (2-3). They’ve been playing nice to watch football, still without a defeat at home (resisted against Man Utd, Man City and Arsenal) and possess serious attacking power in Bent and Gyan. I was thinking about home win, first. But, here’s the problem. Steve Bruce will be missing both of his first choice centre backs, Michael Turner and Titus Bramble. In a tight game, risk would be bigger. I expect more attacking Sunderland, today. Good thing for Bruce is, another defender John Mensah declared himself fit.

The Hammers defeated Wigan in their make or break game, but shock came after it as they demolished Man Utd in Cup game. They didn’t earn any points on that, but mood in the dressing room is completely different. No reason for a fear at Stadium of Light. They don’t have a single win on the road, but actually like to visit Sunderland’s ground. Six wins there of last eight occasions. Carlton Cole is back with two goals in Cup, with Piquionne should be a real threat to the opposite defence (defence without centre backs). The Hammers have scored in each of their last 15 league games against Sunderland.

In some other moment of the season, I guess Sunderland would be a clear favourite. But today with those injuries and confident West Ham, I think they won’t keep a clean sheet. Whatever aspect of this game I try to analyze, conclusions are the same. Goals, both to score, over.

Bet: Over 2.5
Odd: 2.05 Pinnacle
Stake: 7/10

Make e-mail subscription and get my picks directly in the mail box.

Tuesday's World Cup round-up

Argentina playmaker Lionel Messi has agreed a double or quits bet with coach Diego Maradona that he scores against in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Germany. Messi bet Maradona he would score against Mexico in the previous round, although he has since refused to reveal the size of the stake
Maradona has also made it clear that Messi has a free role. He said: "Nobody ever told me where to play. So, I shouldn't have to tell Messi where to play either. It's up to him to decide where to play. He's a grown-up. I did it back in my era - and now it's his turn."

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan needed an ice pack after hurting his ankle in training on Monday but officials expect him to recover in time for Friday's quarter-final against Uruguay. Black Stars defender Hans Sarpei is also reportedly carrying a leg injury.
Meanwhile, Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has revealed Italian side Lazio are interested in signing him from Portsmouth. He stated: "Lazio want me. I know about their interest but I don't want to think about it. For now, I just want to do well in South Africa." 

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, whose side have impressed so far and beat South Korea in the second round, believes he is reaping the benefit of the majority of his players plying their trade overseas.
He said: "Most of the squad joined the national squad when they were still playing in Uruguay at around 22 years of age. Four years later, almost all of them are playing at important clubs overseas and they are capitalising on that experience of playing high-level football abroad."

Guus Hiddink thinks Sepp Blatter should only continue as Fifa president if he is prepared to allow the introduction of goal-line technology and video replays in order to avoid future controversies.
The former Netherlands boss, now in charge of Turkey's national side, stated: "Sepp Blatter should announce tomorrow that video replays will be implemented, or he needs to resign." 

Fit-again Netherlands winger Arjen Robben does not believe he is back to his best yet, despite returning to the starting line-up with a man-of-the-match performance in the 2-1 victory against Slovakia.
Robben, who had been out with a calf injury, said: "It was a great feeling to start the game. I am not yet at my top level but I was pretty confident."

www.bbc.co.uk