Following their 2-1 win in the Tyne-Wear derby, Sunderland have two losses on thetrot, the last a demoralising 0-5 loss at Chelsea; they were totally outplayed at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have also given Portsmouth similar treatment this season (with two 4-0 wins).

Portsmouth are without a win in 5 and have not adjusted to Harry Redknapp’s departure and away from home, they have been poor all season; a 1-1-5 record in 90 minutes away from home will not give new manager Tony Adams much hope of his sides’ poor form turning around at Sunderland.

Like last season, Sunderland have been poor away from home, but at the Stadium of Light, they have been a far stronger proposition, and in their last 3 home games, they have wins over fellow North-East clubs Middlesbrough (2-0) and Newcastle (2-1) as well as a close 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

With Portsmouth looking out-of-sorts following Redknapp’s move to Spurs, and with their away form already poor this season, Sunderland can win this game and the $2.38 offered at Bet365 looks reasonable value.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Sunderland to win Odds: $2.38 Stake: 5pts Bookies: Bet365

Match Betting Previews 8-9 November 2008 >>> Premiership: Arsenal v Man United - Hull v Bolton - Liverpool v West Brom - Sunderland v Portsmouth - West Ham v Everton - Wigan v Stoke - Aston Villa v Middlesbrough - Blackburn v Chelsea - Fulham v Newcastle - Man City v Spurs La Liga: Barcelona v Valladolid - Real Madrid v Malaga - Getafe v Valencia Serie A: Inter v Udinese - Lecce v Milan - Napoli v Sampdoria Ligue 1: Monaco v Lyon - Grenoble v Marseille Bundesliga: Hamburg v Dortmund - Schalke v Bayern