30th Oct 2012 | Football
Sunderland v Middlesbrough
Boro are flying, the Black Cats certainly aren't purring. The odds on the away win are too long.
The League Cup is a competition that throws up more than its fair share of upsets so this is the time to back outsiders at surprisingly long odds. Middlesbrough are 4/1 (Ladbrokes) to beat their local rivals and that looks big.
Although Sunderland reside in a higher division, there aren’t that many places between these sides in the overall league ladder - 14th in the Premier League against 3rd in the Championship. More importantly, the visitors have all the form heading into Tuesday’s derby.
Boro have won their last four to surge up the table as well as their last four away from the Riverside. The Mackems in contrast can claim just one victory in their last 16 top flight fixtures. Martin O’Neill is the manager needing a result to lift morale and that heaps all the pressure on the hosts.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 11:34 30th Oct, 2012 but subject to change
