EPL Betting: Portsmouth vs. Sunderland in action

Rock-bottom Portsmouth FC is gearing up for a huge battle against Sunderland in midweek Premier League action. Portsmouth is after a 5:0 thumping (ouch!) by Manchester United but they will try to put it behind them with a makeover account against Sunderland, a relegation rival and right up the survival point’s alley.

Portsmouth will be looking to find winning form but they will have a tougher task of it; surely, tougher than the market on the match would suggest.

Portsmouth still occupies bottom spot of the Premier League table with no end to their stint in sight. Sunderland has been slipping in form recently but still a few spots hold them above the danger zone. Clearly, this is a must win for both outfits.

Line:

Portsmouth FC pk -145 +140 2½ O +120 U -140 1 O -130 U +110 Draw +225
Sunderland AFC pk +125 +190 2½ O +120 U -140 1 O -105 U -115 Draw +225

Half Time Line:

Portsmouth FC pk -135 +185 1 O +115 U -135 Draw +110
Sunderland AFC pk +115 +265 1 O +115 U -135 Draw +110

Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Tuesday February 9, 2010

Soccer Betting Verdict: The Portsmouth and Sunderland clash on Tuesday is trading on a tight rope, with Portsmouth marginally shorter at +140 to Sunderland at +190. Rock-bottom Portsmouth is actually expected to edge Sunderland in this clash. Let’s see: They have the home edge, where they have been playing better lately, and they need the win. Could be the right bet to make after all.

Sunderland have been on a negative trend and their form has been slipping. From lofty top ten digs in the first half of the season, they have slipped to 13th spot – not disastrous a ranking but given the fact that separating 13th place and 18th place is only four points, the edge is closer than you might think.

Sunderland have to stop the negative trend or else they will not be able to avoid the plunge into the danger zone. Soccer bettors looking to back Sunderland for the win will find them listed at +190. Keep in mind they are not a sure play at all for the win. Going against them is a 0-1-5 mark in their last six road trips.

Portsmouth have enjoyed some encouraging results on home turf, boasting a 3-1-2 mark in their last six home matches. The positive trend correlates to their odds to win, and at +140 they are a good play to win outright.

The Draw is however looking like it might be a good possibility at +225. Certainly, this could be an open match. It certainly is a tempting bet at half time at +110.

There is a lot at stake here for both outfits. Portsmouth might see this as the last chance to close the gap on relegation rivals. Sunderland will look at this clash as a must win or risk all sorts of woes if they lose. As such, I expect there will be loads of attacking in this match and many opportunities to score, with quite a few finding the net. On the totals, I like the Over 2 ½ +120 and the Over 1 +115 at half time. As well, I like both Portsmouth and Sunderland to score each more than a goal in the match, so the overs on the team totals are an additional option.

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