Football Bet of the Day: Hull can take the Mick out of Beale’s Sunderland

The Championship returns to our screens on Friday night with an intriguing encounter between two highly-rated play-off chasers.

Hull City travel to Sunderland for the 20:00 kick-off, which is live on Sky Sports and below we have previewed this clash between two sides who would both find themselves in the top six with a win. 

Michael Beale isn’t the most popular man of Wearside, and so far he has won just two of his six matches in charge of Sunderland. One of those defeats came against Newcastle United in the FA Cup, and their last result was a narrow defeat to high-flying Ipswich, so it’s not been as desperate as many Sunderland fans would lead you to believe. 

The sacking of Tony Mowbray was a difficult one for the home fans to stomach, and the appointment of Beale, who failed at Rangers was less than popular. But, now the dust has settled, it’s time for the players and fans to unite behind their new manager and start to produce results on the pitch. 

There have been glimpses of promise too, but nothing more than that. They looked impressive in the comfortable 2-0 win over Preston at the Stadium of Light, while they’ve also beaten Hull City away on Boxing Day. Now the two teams meet again, in slightly different circumstances.

The main issue Beale has faced is struggling to find a solution for his number nine position. Sunderland simply don’t have a standout striker in the squad which forced him to play Jobe Bellingham and Alex Pritchard up front together at Portman Road. “We want a striker” was chanted by the away end as the fans began to get frustrated at their lack of potency. 

Ultimately, I believe this is what will cost Sunderland as they host Hull on Friday night. However, I do think they will get on the scoresheet due to the impressive Jack Clarke, and Hull’s shaky defence. The Tigers lost to Birmingham City in the FA Cup in midweek, and have conceded ten in their last five outings. 

Their last five matches have also seen both teams score, so I’m more than happy to back that to happen again at the Stadium of Light. But with the current feeling around Sunderland Football Club, and Hull’s attacking talent, I believe the Tigers will come away with three points. Jaden Philogene has been a big miss but is on his way back, but Liam Rosenior has the talents of Fabio Carvalho and Ozan Tufan at his disposal. 

That attacking quality should strike fear into the Sunderland defence, who have been far from solid of late. Meanwhile, if Hull do get themselves on top in terms of superiority, the home will become a hindrance rather than a help to Beale and his players. This should be a cracking encounter between two sides striving for the top six, but I believe Hull will come out with the points, due to their individual quality in attacking areas. 

Check out our other Football Bet of the Day Tips here.