Sam Allardyce has said that Sunderland "have got to beat" Leicester City if it wants to stay up in the Premier League this year. The Black Cats certainly have problems, as they're four points back of Norwich City with seven matches left to play. The leaders though, have been winning matches by every way imaginable, and they aren't going to want to let off the gas pedal at the Stadium of Light this weekend.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Sunderland +230
Leicester City +110
Draw +250
Over/Under 2.5 (under -130)
ODDS ANALYSIS
It's amazing that Leicester City still doesn't seem to have the respect of the oddsmakers. The Foxes are only +110 in this match in spite of the fact that they're sitting at the top of the table and are playing against a team in the relegation fight.
Sunderland though, has to start winning matches at some point to get into the safety zone, and that's why it's only +230 on the moneyline.
The total of 2.5 and -130 vig on the under is rather par for the course this time of year.
KEY INJURIES
Sunderland lost Duncan Watmore a few weeks ago with an ankle injury, and it's unknown when he's coming back to the fray. He's the only injury absentee for the Black Cats, though the fact that Emmanuel Eboue was terminated isn't helping the squad either.
Leicester City hasn't had Matthew James for a while, but it's tough to say that he's missed. Jeffrey Schlupp picked up a knee problem while out on international duty a couple weeks ago. He didn't play against Southampton, but he could be back against Sunderland.
RECENT FORM
Leicester City just keeps winning 1-0 matches. The team has won four straight games by that identical score line. Winning these gritty ties are what separates the champions from the rest of the pack, and that's why the Foxes just keep opening up distance between themselves and the other 19 teams in the EPL.
Here's your perfect example: Sunderland has drawn four straight matches, and it hasn't won a game since beating Manchester City on February 13. The Black Cats will argue that they should've won the match last weekend at home against West Brom, but when you don't snare the maximum points when you have the opportunity to do so, you've ultimately got a good chance to get relegated.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
It's all still coming together for Leicester City. Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have combined for 35 goals this season, and Shinji Okazaki has all of a sudden really gotten into fine form as well up front after a slow start to the season.
What's most underrated about the Foxes is their defense. They've allowed just 31 goals this season in 32 matches, including just 16 in 16 fixtures on the road.
Sunderland might really need this match, but it isn't going to get the job done. We have a feeling that the Black Cats are going to open up the scoring in this one, perhaps with Jermain Defoe logging his 13th goal of the season.
Even if the Black Cats are up 1-0 in the second half though, we aren't discounting the possibility of Leicester City coming back and winning this match. That +110 price is still too good to pass up on even knowing that magnitude of this game for the hosts. There's no reason to stop backing the Foxes.
BPL Odds: Leicester City 2, Sunderland 1
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The fixture between Sunderland and Leicester City is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Stadium of Light. The match will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.
