The last Premier League match of 2015 takes place on Wednesday night when Sunderland host Liverpool at the Stadium of Light.
A win for Sunderland will close the seven point gap they currently have to make up to get out of the relegation zone while a win for Liverpool will move them up three places and level on points with Man Utd in sixth so both have a strong incentive here.
Sunderland have been dire for much of the season and the next month is going to be pivotal to their hopes of survival. Sam Allardyce will need to wheel and deal and get some defensive stability into the squad to give them any chance of avoiding the drop.
Younes Kaboul is out of this match and for the foreseeable future and John O’Shea is a doubt so Sunderland are struggling a little for defensive resources which isn’t ideal. It might be that Allardyce decides attack is the best form of defence.
Liverpool’s inconsistency has been there for all to see this season and they have slid down the table in recent weeks. They really could do with a win to back up the Boxing Day win and build some confidence to take into the New Year as they look to push for a Champions League spot. If they are to get that then this is must win.
Daniel Sturridge is still being wrapped up in cotton wool so he is unlikely to play here. James Milner will join him on the sidelines. Divock Origi is a doubt with an injury but Jurgen Klopp will have Jordon Ibe available after the winger has recovered from injury.
Conditions are expected to be quite tough in this match with the latest storm forecast to hit the North-East during game time so that could turn it into a bit of a lottery.
In truth I wasn’t sure about this game even in normal conditions. Sunderland just can’t seem to defend so the unders in goals isn’t as good as it might normally be and I can’t trust Liverpool at the prices.
If I was going to have a bet I’d chance the overs but that might need Sunderland to score and that isn’t a certainty either so the best thing to do is to leave the game alone from a betting point of view and save our money for the New Year.
