Sunderland vs Liverpool
Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland team is the only Premier League side that hasn’t lost at home this term, and they’re keen to keep it that way after this week when they host Liverpool at the Stadium of Light this Wednesday evening.
Sunderland recently dropped to ninth in the English top-flight standings after an inconsistent run of Premier League 2026 results, having alternated wins and losses in their last five matches. However, at 36 points, the Black Cats remain within arm’s reach of the European football places.
Similar to Sunderland, Liverpool have also alternated wins and losses in their last three. The defending English top-flight champions are fresh from a stinging 2-1 home loss against Manchester City. As a result, the Reds stayed in sixth place with 39 points, level with seventh-seeded Brentford.
Talking Points
Sunderland plan to shake their doldrums at home
Sunderland have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, having won three, drawn four, and lost three of their last 10 Premier League games. And suddenly, they’re closer to falling out of the Top 10 than fighting for a European football spot. The most recent Africa Cup of Nations certainly didn’t help their cause, as they were the most affected Premier League side, with six of their key players having played in the continental tourney.
The Black Cats lost 3-0 to Arsenal last time out, as they conceded goals from Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres (brace). Despite the loss, head coach Regis Le Bris saw some positives from his squad, especially from their striker, Brian Brobbey. The 24-year-old Dutchman has effectively usurped Wilson Isidor as the team’s starting No. 9, leading Sunderland in scoring with five league goals this term.
Regis Le Bris will likely have the same squad against Arsenal, with captain Granit Xhaka and Jocelin Ta Bi still on the sidelines due to injuries. Bertrand Traore (knee) hasn’t played for Sunderland since the Africa Cup of Nations and is a game-time decision.
Chemsdine Talbi is the danger man against Liverpool, and he could become the first Sunderland footballer to score in both home and away encounters against the Reds since Stan Cummins in 1980-81.
Liverpool have a right-back crisis
Liverpool were on their way to snatching three points against Manchester City when Dominik Szoboszlai scored a wonderful free-kick in the 74th minute to put his team up by one, but the Sky Blues had other plans. Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland overturned the deficit, and Szoboszlai got a straight red card for his clear path foul on Haaland during stoppage time.
Szoboszlai, who started as the Reds’ right-back out of necessity, must serve his suspension against Sunderland, and head coach Arne Slot is running out of options. With Jeremie Frimpong (thigh), Conor Bradley (knee), and Joe Gomez (hip) injured, Curtis Jones is the most likely candidate to replace the Hungarian international against Sunderland.
History
Sunderland and Liverpool shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Anfield last December, as Chemsdine Talbi put the Black Cats ahead by one after the hour mark before Nordi Mukiele’s own goal gave the Reds a valuable point.
Sunderland are winless in their last 11 Premier League games against Liverpool (D5, L6) since a 1-0 home win in March 2012. The Black Cats have won three of their last five Premier League home games against the defending champions (L2), but they’re winless in their last five home matches against the Reds (D2, L3). Their 12-game unbeaten run at home is the longest streak by a newly promoted side from the start of a top-flight campaign since Nottingham Forest in 1977-78 (21 games).
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 19 Premier League matches against newly promoted sides (W14, D5), but they’ve drawn each of the last four.
Betting Tip
The Premier League 2026 odds have Liverpool handing Sunderland their first league loss of the season at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening. The Reds are 1.74 favourites to win, whereas the Black Cats are 4.17 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.49 in the 1X2 market.
However, we think that this will be another close battle, and with Liverpool struggling for form at present, Sunderland could claim at least a point in front of their home fans. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP punters may consider adding Over 2.25 at 1.62, Over 2.50 at 1.83, and Over 2.75 at 2.05 because there’ll be goals from both sides. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 1-1 – the result of their reverse fixture a few weeks ago – yields a decent payday of 6.80 your bet.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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