Sunderland vs. Liverpool: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

[(Sunderland A.F.C.) Strength]:
1. Sunderland A.F.C. currently sit 11th in the league with 36 points. As a mid-table side, they are within a narrow points gap to the teams around them, trailing the top six by only three points. The team are highly motivated.
2. Enzo Le Fee has averaged 2.29 tackles per game this season, while also contributing 4 goals and 4 assists, delivering outstanding performances in both defense and offense.
3. Despite their poor away form, Sunderland A.F.C. remained the only team this season to have stayed unbeaten at home. They have conceded only one goal more than Arsenal.
4. In their last five home matches, Sunderland A.F.C. have recorded three wins and two draws, scoring seven goals while conceding only two.
 

[(Sunderland A.F.C.) Weakness]:
1. Sunderland A.F.C.'s midfield core Xhaka will be sidelined for this match due to an ankle injury. Known for his excellent defensive interception abilities in midfield, he has contributed 1 goal and 5 assists this season.
2. Sunderland A.F.C.'s form has been inconsistent recently, with results alternating between wins and losses. The team have lost all of their last three league away matches, conceding three goals each time, highlighting their recent poor performances on the road.
3. The two teams have drawn their last two encounters, indicating no significant gap in quality between them.
 

[(Liverpool F.C.) Strength]:
1. Liverpool F.C. currently sit 6th in the league with 39 points, trailing 4th-placed Manchester United by six points with a game in hand. As their top-four rivals continue to drop points, Liverpool F.C. must secure all three points in this match to stay in contention for Champions League qualification.
2. This season, Ekitike has scored 15 goals and provided 4 assists. Since joining Liverpool F.C., he has integrated into the team swiftly and currently stands as their top scorer.
3. Though Wirtz struggled in the Premier League at the start of the season, he has clearly adapted to the pace of the Premier League recently, contributing 2 goals and 1 assist in the last three matches.
 

[(Liverpool F.C.) Neutral]:
1. Liverpool F.C. have recorded 4 wins, 3 draws, and 5 defeats in their 12 league away matches this season, scoring 19 goals while conceding 21, reflecting a relatively average performance away from home.
 

[(Liverpool F.C.) Weakness]:
1. Liverpool F.C.'s injury crisis at right-back persists, and Szoboszlai, who had been deputising in that role, was sent off in the last match against Manchester City and will be suspended for this fixture.
2. Liverpool F.C.'s 1-2 defeat to Manchester City in their last match was a physically gruelling contest, and with only three days to recover before this fixture amidst a severe injury crisis, the fitness of their key players poses a major challenge.
3. In their last three away league matches, Liverpool F.C. have managed only two draws and one defeat, scoring four goals but conceding five, highlighting their recent defensive vulnerabilities on the road.
 

[Tips]:
Despite Sunderland A.F.C.'s recent poor away form, having conceded three goals in each of their last three away matches, they will be playing at the Stadium of Light this time. They remain the only Premier League team still unbeaten at home this season, boasting a solid defensive record.

In contrast, Liverpool F.C. are grappling with a severe injury crisis, particularly in defense, and made no reinforcements in the January transfer window, making an away victory here highly challenging.

Overall, Sunderland A.F.C. are favored to rely on their strong home defense to avoid defeat.
 

[Recommended]:
Sunderland A.F.C. (+0.5/1)