SUNDERLAND take on Hull City at the Stadium of Light in a game they can’t afford to lose.

Traditionally, the pair’s contests have tended to be tight, although according to the match stats team at bettingexpert.com the duo have recorded only one draw in their last 13 league meetings. With the dual benefits of home advantage and a confidence-boosting win last time out, Sunderland start as 6/5 favourites (Bwin) with the Tigers a lengthy-looking 14/5 (888sport).

Unibet chalk 9/1 against the Black Cats registering a second successive 2-1 win, although punters less comfortable about predicting the correct score might fancy the 4/1 offered by 188bet for Sunderland to emerge victorious following a drawn first half.

Skybet’s 12/5 for the fixture to end with honours even could offer useful insurance, while Paddy Power’s 3/1 for Sunderland to win by a single goal has proved a magnet for backers preferring to avoid calling the correct score.

Leeds United have moved almost unnoticed into sixth place in the Championship following of seven wins and a draw in their last ten outings; form which should ensure that there’s no complacency in the Newcastle camp prior to their meeting at Elland Road tomorrow.

Despite home advantage, Leeds are a massive 7/2 (Marathonbet), while Newcastle kick off as Skybet’s even money favourites.

Newcastle are 4/6 with 188bet to open the scoring and 11/4 (bet365) to head off at the break 1-0 up. Punters anticipating a comprehensive away win can get 5/2 (Unibet) against Newcastle winning when kicking off with a one-goal deficit.

Middlesbrough tomorrow host in-form Chelsea – winning their last five league contests, scoring 16 without; no wonder Boro kick off as Unibet’s 7/1 underdogs.

Yet Boro have lost only one of their last five and secured excellent results at both Arsenal and Manchester City; they’re 4/5 (Winner.com) to score and 5/1 (Ladbrokes) to retain a clean sheet, while bet365 chalk a tempting 18/1 against them winning 1-0.

Hartlepool travel to Doncaster as Paddy Power’s 11/2 underdogs. However, the home side has kept only one clean sheet in their last eight league contests and as Hartlepool have scored more away goals than any other League Two side bar Doncaster, Matchbook’s 4/5 for both teams to score is worth a look.

Skybet’s 33/10 a draw even holds considerable appeal, while Betway’s 11/2 for both halves to finish with the scores level cannot be discounted.

Odds supplied by www.smartbets.com, the customisable odds comparison site.

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