Preston vs Sunderland Predictions

• At least two goals have been scored in three of Preston’s last four home league matches
• At least two goals have been scored in five of Sundetland’s seven Championship away games this season
• The Black Cats will be without two key midfielders for this trip to Deepdale

Black Cats face a scrap at Deepdale

Sunderland will have to scrap it out against a physical Preston side if they are to remain top of the Championship pile on Wednesday. The Black Cats will head to Deepdale without two first-choice midfielders and Regis Le Bris’ side may lack the control and energy, not to mention spark, that young duo Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg have provided this season.

Bellingham was sent off for a studs-up challenge in Sunderland’s 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on Saturday while Rigg missed the contest with an injury he sustained in training.

A scrappy affair in west London got even scrappier after Bellingham’s 58th minute red card and it would be no surprise if Wednesday’s game trended in a similar direction.

North End’s attack looks toothless

Preston lost 3-1 at home to Bristol City last weekend to make it four games without a win in all competitions. Paul Heckingbottom’s side, who could have been reduced to 10 themselves early on against the Robins, are pretty toothless in attack without suspended striker Milutin Osmajic and injured warhorse Will Keane.

Player-coach Ched Evans is lacking fitness too right now while an injury to left-sided maestro Robbie Brady has left the Lilywhites looking unbalanced. That said, they still managed to score three goals at Plymouth – two after Brady came off – and again at home to Bristol City.

North End have lost only one of their last six home league games, winning three and drawing two, so there is a chance that they could put a dent in Sunderland’s promotion bid.

Lack of control could lead to goals

The key absences for the Black Cats make them a tricky proposition here, playing their second away game in quick succession, and it may be better to take a safer play on the goal markets.

Backing at least two goals in the game, admittedly at short odds, should deliver a small profit with Preston’s hard men in midfield capable of bulling Sunderland in there, but the Black Cats still offering enough in attack to potentially grab a goal.

Sunderland-born Sam Greenwood, who started his career with the Black Cats, will also be bang up for the challenge of scoring in this game after bagging three in his last three for Preston.