Sunderland 2016/17

Sunderland 2016/17 Team Review, Star Players and Predicted Finish

It has become almost tradition for Sunderland to flirt with the drop for the majority of the season and then produce an inspiring run of form to see off the threat of relegation.

The appointment of David Moyes was intended to buck this trend, but the Black Cats have failed to register a win in their opening six matches and sit at the foot of the table with just a solitary point accumulated so far.

 

Sunderland missed out on their top transfer targets over the summer and possess a squad deficient on quality and severely lacking in depth. Will this be the year that they finally fail to stay clear of the trapdoor or will the goals of Jermaine Defoe once again guide them to safety for another year?

 

Sunderland vs. West Brom Match Preview

Last week’s capitulation from two goals up at home to Crystal Palace epitomised Sunderland’s current predicament and the dearth of confidence around the Stadium of Light. They face another tough test against the Baggies who will be organised, disciplined and feeding off the jubilation of Salomon Rondon's equaliser in injury time against Stoke.

The need for three points is certainly greater for the home team than it is Tony Pulis’ side and Sunderland V West Brom odds are 11/8 for Sunderland to win, However, I am going to plump for a share of the spoils in this encounter with Bet365 offering odds off 11/5 on such an outcome.

 

Injuries

Sunderland have been dealt a huge blow ahead of Saturday’s game as Manchester United loanee Adnan Januzaj has been ruled out for six weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the defeat to Palace.

 

Sunderland’s Star Players

Sunderland 2016/17

Defoe is a proven goalscorer and his 15 league goals last term led the way for another season in the top-flight of English football. Sunderland will once again rely on the 33-year-old’s clinical edge, particularly towards the latter stages of the season when the battle for survival is at its most intense.

The other standout performer of last year was rampaging attacking left-back Patrick Van Aanholt. With four goals and three assists, the Dutchman was able to compensate for his defensive shortcomings by making a significant impact in the opposition half.

 

Predicted Finish

Could this be the season that it ends in tears? I expected the Black Cats to undergo a stronger start under Moyes, but it looks like Sunderland supporters are going to have to endure another season of scrapping for survival. Many writers, pundits and bookies have Sunderland as one of the favourites to go down and I have a feeling that this might be the year that they become the laughing stock of the North East. Bet365 have priced Sunderland at 8/11 to go down.

 

Top Goal Scorer

Sunderland betting tips

The consistency and dependability of Defoe is what makes him one of the best strikers in the Premier League and in recent years he has been the trump card that Sunderland have been able to play and the ace that their relegation rivals have been missing from their pack. The former West Ham and Tottenham star scored 10 more than of his team-mates last time out and this is despite the slow start he suffered – as evidenced by the fact that 11 of his 15 strikes came after the turn of the year.

 

History Of Sunderland

Only five other clubs have won more than the six First Division titles amassed by the Black Cats, with their last triumph coming in the 1935-36 campaign. They have lifted the famous FA Cup twice and in 1892-93 became the first team to score 100 goals in a single season.

 

Managers

Tom Watson guided the club to three consecutive top-flight crowns in the late 1800’s and Scottish manager Johnny Cochrane inspired the club’s first FA Cup triumph in 1937.

In more recent times, Peter Reid won promotion to the Premier League with the club on two occasions and achieved two seventh-place finishes in the top division. Sam Allardyce, often referred to as “Big Sam” masterminded their survival last year before taking on the England job in the summer, only to resign earlier this week following the embarrassing corruption scandal that has come to light.

 

Key Games To Look Out For

Even though bitter rivals Newcastle were unable to avoid the drop, Sunderland will still have to finish above newly promoted Middlesbrough if they want to retain bragging rights in the North East. The first Wear-Tees derby of the season ended in victory for Aitor Karanka’s side and Moyes will need to ensure his men are fired up for the return clash at the Riverside Stadium in March.

Thatsagoal.com Team

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