Premier League preview: Blackpool vs Sunderland
Sunderland managed to grab a late goal in the derby against Newcastle, which enabled them to end the match in a draw, but since the game they have had a sudden downward spiral in terms of luck.
The team’s top scorer Darren Bent left the Black Cats, who occupy the sixth position in the Barclays table, to join Aston Villa who sit in the 17th spot, hovering one position above relegation trouble. Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager gave
a statement to the press saying he felt “massively let down” by Bent’s departure. Sunderland received a transfer fee of £24 million for the striker’s services, but the money may prove to be of little consolation as another striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-Welbeck-c10233 may be unable
to play for the Black Cats for 6-8 weeks after succumbing to injury.
BBC Sport reports that the amount of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Bent-c10358’s transfer fee equals “approximately five times the cost of the entire Blackpool squad.” Blackpool currently occupy the tenth position in the League table, having performed better than expected by critics
this season, but the Seasiders have seen a slump in their form of late. Ian Holloway’s side have been defeated in four out of their previous five games in all competitions, and a failure to improve their performance may see them slide into relegation trouble,
which is only eight points away (bottom of the table, West Ham United have 20 points to Blackpool’s 28).
Inspiration to beat Sunderland may come from the Seasiders victory in December in the Stadium of Light; a feat neither Manchester United, Manchester City nor Arsenal have managed to pull off in this Premier League campaign.
Sunderland has played two more games than Blackpool’s 21 so far in this Premier League season. The Seasiders have 28 points to Sunderland’s 34, although both sides have eight victories under their belt. Holloway’s team have drawn four and lost nine matches,
and Bruce’s men have drawn ten games and lost half of that number. Blackpool have scored 31 goals and have conceded 5 more this season, whereas the Black Cats have scored 26 and conceded three less.
When the Seasiders recorded a victory last in December over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, it was the first clash between the two sides in the Premier League in 43 years. Two goals from DJ Campbell enabled the Blackpool victory on Sunderland turf, and
the match proved to be the Black Cats only defeat at home in this campaign.
Ian Holloway’s side must improve their form as they have suffered three defeats in their previous four League matches and have lost four fixtures out of their last five played in all competitions. In every home game this season, Blackpool have managed to
score but have conceded as well. Sunderland must contain DJ Campbell for this game, as the striker has managed to score five times in the last six League fixtures played by the Seasiders.
The Black Cats have managed 11 clean sheets in their 23 games this season, only the top four clubs in the Premier League have managed to let in fewer goals. Bruce’s side have a penchant for scoring late goals, as seven of their current 26 League goals have
been scored in the 86th minute of the match or after. Sunderland have had the least number of different goal scorers in the League this season, totaling at a meager six.
Blackpool’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-Basham-c9008 who is out with a leg injury. Billy Clarke, Mathew
Gilks and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Malaury-Martin-c23257 all suffer from a knee problem.
Steve Bruce’s injury worries include DJ Campbell and Welbeck, both who suffer from knee injuries. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lee-Cattermole-c21868 may not play this fixture due to a back problem.
Tags: