Sunderland vs Birmingham Prediction: Can Rooney get his first win?

Sunderland welcome Birmingham City to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon (12:30) in the Championship as Blues boss Wayne Rooney still searches for his first victory.

Birmingham were forced to settle for a point against Ipswich Town last time out after having a two-goal lead against the Tractor Boys. The intense pressing from Rooney's men was to be admired but it did lead to some tired legs in the second half which led to Ipswich's comeback.

Sunderland also had to make do with a draw last weekend as they played out a goalless stalemate with 10-men Swansea City in south Wales. The Black Cats will be hoping they can take advantage of the Blues still waiting for their first win under their new boss.

We preview this fixture by picking out some of the most valuable markets on offer for this second tier clash.

Match Odds

Sunderland are the favourites to win this contest at 7/10. A draw is valued at 11/4 while you can back Blues to pick up Rooney's first win at 4/1.

Both teams to score is priced at 4/5 and NO is on offer at 10/11. You will find these same prices for over 2.5 goals and under 2.5 goals respectively.

Team News

Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray faces a dilemma this weekend. His two current fit centre-back options in Luke O'Nien and Dan Ballard are suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. The Sunderland players in the treatment room are Eliezer Mayenda, Timothee Pembele, Aji Alese, Jay Matete and Corry Evans.

Birmingham will also be without a suspended player with Krystian Bielik also having picked up too many yellow cards. The Blues' injury list features Lee Buchanan, Keshi Anderson, Tyler Roberts and Alfie Chang.

Draw or Birmingham (Double chance) and BTTS @ 9/4

While Rooney's first three games in charge left some fans worried about being able to put points on the board, they got a look at what the manager is trying to do against Ipswich, even if their lack of squad depth was telling.

Rooney and his players were clapped off the field last week and although they let a two-goal lead slip, that first point will be a huge confidence booster. With another week on the training ground, the Blues will fancy their chances to build on that draw up in the north east.

They will sense an opportunity with Sunderland's back line being even more depleted this weekend, but the Black Cats have more than enough attacking quality to hurt the Blues' shaky-looking defence.

Over 3.5 goals @ 2/1

Seeing as Sunderland are going to struggle to put together a centre-back partnership this weekend and Birmingham having shipped eight goals in Rooney's first four games, we are expecting quite a few goals in this one.

Black Cats star Jack Clarke is the division's joint-leading marksman with nine goals so far, while Jay Stansfield leads the way for the Blues with five to his name. These two players in particular will be looking to have a huge say in the outcome of this fixture, and both will be raring to go up against frail defences.

There is also more quality among both these sides' ranks and with the lack of confidence among both of their back lines, it seems as though there will be plenty of attacking opportunities for both teams this Saturday lunchtime.