Relegation Clash That Promises Goals

Bookmakers have surprisingly low goal expectations for the Sunderland v Bournemouth game and that is puzzling if you look at short or long term trends.

In 22 league games this season Sunderland have been involved in 13 games with more than 2.5 goals, Bournemouth have been involved in 11. At worst you’d price up the goal line at around evens for either over or under.

Recent results suggest the handbrake has come off. Eddie Howe has bought two strikers during the transfer window and seen seven goals (at both ends) over his last two games.

Sam Allardyce has largely the same personnel but is playing Jermain Defoe as an out and out striker, which has resulted in 15 goals in Sunderland’s last three games.

Both Sunderland and Bournemouth’s goals tally is broadly in line with Paul Riley’s goal expectations therefore we are seeing a fair representation of both teams. That makes over 2.5 goals the play at 23/20 (Betfair Sportsbook).