Football betting: Premier League - Sunderland vs Birmingham

Sunderland host Birmingham in Sky's live match on Monday tonight (8pm SS2) and with both sides level on 20 Premiership points it appears a tough call on paper to choose a winner between the two.

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Of the two teams it is Birmingham who are in the ascendancy, and not just because they are two places above the Black Cats. The arrival of former Scotland coach Alex McLeish has had a huge impact on the Blues, whose recent playing record of won 2, drawn 3, lost 5 does not reflect either the improved performances on the pitch or the fact that they have had to face three of the Big Four - Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal - during that run.

The west midlands outfit were unlucky not to get anything more from their 1-1 draw at the Emirates and arguably even unluckier to lose to Chelsea, who despite being outplayed for long periods of the match, ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of a Claudio Pizarro goal. They also lost by a solitary goal, this time from Carlos Tevez, against United at Old Trafford.

Of considerable concern to McLeish will be the fact that his side have not excelled on their travels. The last time they won away from home was in his first match in charge and the only other side they've beaten away all campaign is doomed Derby County.

On the plus side, Sunderland are hardly ripping it up themselves. True, only Manchester United and Liverpool have scored more than two goals against them at the Stadium of Light this season but Roy Keane's side will miss the hamstrung Kieran Richardson, who scored in the recent defeats of Portsmouth and Bolton and they don't look to have the quality in depth that tonight's opponents possess. Birmingham will be grateful for the single goal if it gives them the win which it probably will.

Verdict: 2pts Birmingham to bt Sunderland @ 11/5 (Bet365); 1pt HT/FT draw/Birmingham @ 13/2 (Sportingbet); 1pt Birmingham to win 1-0 @ 9/1 (general)

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