Aston Villa v Sunderland Tip

Convinced that the world’s against them, Sunderland find themselves back at the foot of the table and without an away league goal since August. However, Gus Poyet’s biggest problem may be the porous defence that has conceded 24 times in 12 outings.

That’s good news for Christian Benteke though who is long overdue to end his goal drought having starting the season like a train. The Belgian striker’s form was disrupted by injury but at best odds of 7/4 (Bet365) to score anytime on Saturday, now is the time to side with the 22-year-old again.

Benteke scored a hat-trick in Villa’s 6-1 hammering of the Black Cats back in April and he will see this as a prime opportunity to end a five-game dry spell. His goal tally for 2013 is still up there with the very best and his personal cause will be helped by the growing collective confidence of his team-mates.

Villa will be buzzing after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away to their rivals WBA on Monday. In contrast, Sunderland may arrive with a sense of foreboding.