Sunderland need to bounce back to their best home form, while Fulham are close to blowing a brilliant opportunity to qualify for the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
Following their promotion from the Championship last season, Sunderland have been magnificent throughout this campaign but succumbed to their first defeat at the Stadium of Light against Liverpool, before a 1-0 win away at Oxford in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Fulham came from behind to defeat Stoke in the cup but the Cottagers have suffered four defeats in their last five matches in the league as they drift into the bottom half of the table.
The Sporting News brings you our tips and predictions for this Sunday Premier League match — one of three kicking off before the North London derby. You can get 50/1 odds for a single goal scored in Tottenham vs. Arsenal!
Sunderland vs. Fulham Preview: Who Will Win?
We’re backing a goalless draw in what could be quite a tough watch for the neutral.
Regis Le Bris has done a very impressive job in charge of Sunderland but their success this season has been built on a very solid defensive style and that is expected to be the case once again this weekend.
Up against a Fulham side that are fluent at their best but scratching around for any sort of form at the moment, a low-scoring encounter seems very likely.
Score Prediction: Sunderland 0-0 Fulham (17/2 with Sky Bet)
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Head-to-Head: Sunderland vs. FulhamThe most recent clash between Sunderland and Fulham saw the Cottagers snatch a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage back in mid-November.That means that the west Londoners are now unbeaten in their last four matches against the Black Cats, in a run stretching back to December 2017.Overall, Sunderland and Fulham have clashed on 67 occasions with Sunderland having come out on top in 26 of those games and Fulham winning 21 matches.Sunderland vs. Fulham: Form GuideSunderland – Last 5 matches (All competitions)Oxford United 0-1 Sunderland (FA Cup)Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)Sunderland 3-0 Burnley (Premier League)West Ham United 3-1 Sunderland (Premier League)Fulham – Last 5 matches (All competitions)Stoke City 1-2 Fulham (FA Cup)Manchester City 3-0 Fulham (Premier League)Fulham 1-2 Everton (Premier League)Manchester United 3-2 Fulham (Premier League)Fulham 2-1 Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League)Sunderland vs. Fulham Betting Tips
In what is expected to be a scrappy affair, there will be a lot of focus on winning the midfield battle and there are some aggressors in that area. Backing both or either of Sander Berge (4/1 with 10Bet) and Habib Diarra (9/2 with Paddy Power) seems a good shout.
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Sunderland vs. Fulham Team NewsSunderland Team NewsRegis Le Bris plays a flexible system from a back three to a 4-2-3-1 shape with Trai Hume crucial to that and Reinildo on the left, but the latter is a bit of a concern due to a lack of form.Key man and captain Granit Xhaka is trying to race his way back from an ankle injury but the experienced Switzerland international midfielder remains sidelined.As well as the absence of Xhaka, Bertrand Traore is also out but Jocelin Ta’ Bi, a winter transfer window signing, has got full fitness and is now involved in the first-team.Fulham Team NewsSander Berge is expected to partner Alex Iwobi in midfield once again for the visitors as Serbia international midfielder Sasa Lukic remains a major doubt.Fellow midfielder Tom Cairney is also a doubt for Fulham this weekend but they don’t have any confirmed injury concerns or suspension issues.Marco Silva has had some dilemmas due to a loss of form recently, too, but there is an expectation that both Antonee Robinson and Kevin do now come into the eleven.Sunderland vs. Fulham Lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
This is how we think the two teams will lineup at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland predicted lineup to play Fulham
Roefs (GK) – Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete – Hume, Diarra, Sadiki, Reinildo – Le Fee, Talbi – Brobbey
Out: Xhaka, TraoreDoubtful: N/ASuspension: N/AFulham predicted lineup to play Sunderland
Leno (GK) – Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson – Iwobi, Berge – Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin – Jimenez
Out: N/ADoubtful: Lukic, CairneySuspension: N/A
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Sunderland vs. Fulham OddsBet Builder Tips: Sunderland vs. Fulham
Our bet builder for Sunderland vs. Fulham backs under 2.5 goals in the game, both Sander Berge and Habib Diarra to be carded and Sunderland to have the most corners in the match, which came to overall best odds of 60/1 with Bet365 at the time of writing.
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How to watch Sunderland vs. Fulham: Live Stream, TV ChannelDate: Sunday, February 22Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, EnglandTime: 14:00 GMTTV/Stream: Sky Sports