Sunderland vs Preston prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-12-31 12:30.
Sunderland boss Michael Beale will be hoping for a better return in his second home game in charge of the club against Preston North End on New Year’s Day after his side were beaten 3-0 by Coventry City in his first. He has since picked up four points from two away games over the Christmas period with an impressive win at play-off chasing Hull City on Boxing Day and a comeback draw against bottom of the table Rotherham United on Friday.
In spite of enjoying the ball for 69% of the game against Rotherham, Sunderland could only find the net once, and Beale’s post-match comments demanded “an end product from our possession”. If his side can deliver on that, then the Mackems, who begin this round in eighth spot, could move up into the play-off places by full-time at the Stadium of Light.
Preston head into the new year in 11th but with manager Ryan Lowe under renewed pressure after a 1-0 loss at home to 23rd place Sheffield Wednesday on Friday evening. That defeat was North End’s sixth from their last nine league outings (W2, D1) and brought a swift conclusion to the brief respite enjoyed by Lowe after a surprise 2-1 Boxing Day win over high-flying Leeds United.
Lowe described Friday’s game as a “massively frustrating night” and pinpointed a lack of “quality balls into the right areas” as an area for severe improvement. With only two defeats from their last five on the road (W2, D1), and six wins from their last nine against Sunderland overall (D2, L1), Preston fans should at least be able to travel to the North East with some confidence of seeing their side make a positive start to 2024!
Players to watch: Sunderland’s Jack Clarke had scored only one goal from his previous nine games before Christmas but will begin the new year in fine form and looking to notch in a third successive match. Preston midfielder Alan Browne has scored the opening goal in two of his last four away appearances and also gave his side the lead against Leeds.
Hot stat: Preston have kept a first-half clean sheet in their last three away games.