English Premier League Picks: Sunderland vs. Liverpool

Liverpool are slipping behind in the title race something awful and after their recent loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, many have them all but written off in the race. Liverpool are out-of-form and struggling to find the consistency they showed last season. They have already lost more matches this season than in the whole of last season. Prompting many to ask the question: what is wrong with them?

Sunderland, on the other hand, are punching above their weight class in Premier League. They are currently enjoying a good run of results at home and they will be looking to extend that form at the expense of Liverpool.

Soccer Betting Line:

Sunderland +½ -125 +260 2½ O -110 U -110 1 O -115 U -105 Draw +235
Liverpool FC -½ +105 +105 2½ O -110 U -110 1½ O Ev U -120 Draw +235

Match Time: 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time Saturday October 17, 2009

Soccer Betting Verdict: Since losing their opening home fixture to Chelsea 3:1, Sunderland have not lost at the Stadium of Light. Bounce back nicely they did to win four in a row – beating Blackburn, Hull City and Wolverhampton in Premier League action and Birmingham in Carling Cup action. More significantly, they have combined for 13 goals in their last four matches, and conceding just four. Overall, Sunderland are eighth in the table with 13 points hauled in eight cycles, 4-1-3.

Liverpool have to be considered a disappointment right now. They are sixth in the table, behind the likes of Tottenham, Man City and Arsenal – sides they finished above of in previous seasons. Liverpool have shown mixed form. They have hauled 15 points in eight cycles with a 5-0-3 mark. They have been inconsistent both at Anfield Stadium and on their road trips.

By virtue of the quality on the bench, Liverpool should be the heavy favourites to win this match – but because they have been so inconsistent, they are served up at a modest price tag, +105 to win outright in the market.

Sunderland are only two points shy of Liverpool in the table. They actually have an opportunity to leapfrog Liverpool in the table with a win on Saturday. Think about that for a second.

Liverpool will be mindful of Sunderland’s proximity in the table and they will have to pick up pace or else they will be in an even worse place than now. Sunderland have been flying-high at home making them rather tempting play at +260 to win outright. They have everything to hope for in this match, and delivering another shocking upset is just par for the course. Don’t forget they, Sunderland, managed to draw 2:2 at the Old Trafford a fortnight ago while Liverpool lost 2:0 at Stamford Bridge. If that isn’t a confidence boost, then I don’t know what is.

Yet, can Liverpool really be so easily dismissed. True they are going through a bad patch but the quality they have suggests they will shape up sooner than later.