Sunderland vs Liverpool: Premier League Showdown Preview
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Follow our comprehensive football betting tips as Liverpool make the journey to Sunderland on Wednesday evening. Becky Ashton provides the latest analysis ahead of this crucial Premier League encounter.
Wednesday 11 February 2026 08:01 GMT
Arne Slot has openly admitted that Liverpool require Champions League qualification for this campaign to be deemed acceptable. The pressure is mounting as the Reds face a challenging trip to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland vs Liverpool Key Betting Tips
- Draw - 3/1 with Betway
- Hugo Ekitike to score at any time - 13/10 with BetMGM
Liverpool travel to Sunderland this evening, aiming to improve upon a concerning recent run of form. The Reds have secured just one victory in their last seven league matches, placing them in genuine danger of missing out on next season's Champions League. The match kicks off at 8:15pm and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and Discovery+.
A last-minute defeat to Manchester City on Sunday has left Liverpool sixth in the Premier League table. They currently trail fourth-placed Manchester United by five points and hold only a three-point advantage over Sunderland.
Arne Slot's squad have failed to resemble the reigning champions this season, struggling against opponents across the league table. To finish the season strongly, an immediate turnaround is essential, but achieving victory at the Stadium of Light will be no simple task.
Sunderland's Remarkable Season
Sunderland have emerged as the surprise package of the campaign, having been promoted via the play-offs last season. They currently occupy ninth position but were as high as second earlier in the term.
The Black Cats lost merely two of their opening eleven fixtures upon returning to the top flight, suffering defeats at Burnley and Manchester United. They recorded five wins and four draws during that impressive start but are now encountering more difficult challenges.
Under manager Regis Le Bris, Sunderland have won only three of their last twelve matches, with five others concluding as draws. This includes a run of four consecutive draws over the festive period against Brighton, Leeds, Manchester City, and Tottenham.
Having lost their last three away fixtures and conceding three goals in each, Sunderland will be relieved to return to home turf this evening. The Black Cats remain unbeaten in all twelve of their Premier League home games this season, winning seven and drawing five.
This formidable unbeaten streak represents the longest run by a promoted side from the start of a top-flight season since the 1977-78 campaign, when Nottingham Forest remained undefeated in all twenty-one home matches en route to securing the league title.
Liverpool's Away Struggles
Liverpool required an own goal from Nordi Mukiele nine minutes from time to salvage a point against Sunderland back in November, after Chemsdine Talbi had given the visitors the lead.
This result means Sunderland are now without a victory in their last eleven league encounters with Liverpool, drawing five and losing six since a 1-0 home win in March 2012. Interestingly, all three of Sunderland's victories over Liverpool in this competition have occurred at the Stadium of Light, providing the home side with additional confidence.
Since winning their first two away league fixtures this season at Newcastle and Burnley, Liverpool have secured just two victories in their last ten matches on the road. They have drawn three and lost five, conceding twenty-one goals away from home already this term, which exceeds the tally of bottom-side Wolves.
Given Liverpool's defensive fragility, particularly during the closing stages of matches, and the immense pressure upon them, it is challenging to predict an away victory. The Reds are struggling to score goals while simultaneously failing to prevent them at the other end.
Furthermore, Liverpool will be without the ever-reliable Dominik Szoboszlai following his red card at the weekend. The Hungarian midfielder has scored nine goals this season and has been exceptional in dead-ball situations. He has also been covering at right-back due to the absences of Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
Match Predictions and Analysis
Sunderland have drawn nine matches so far this season, including five at home, while Liverpool have been held to six draws, with four of those occurring in their last seven fixtures.
Sunderland vs Liverpool prediction 1: A draw - 3/1 with Betway
If Liverpool are to achieve a positive result in the north east, they will require another standout performance from striker Hugo Ekitike, who has been one of their brightest sparks this campaign.
The French forward, who joined for £69 million in the summer, has already netted fifteen goals for his new club, including three in his last three appearances. He has opened the scoring on four occasions this season, and betting sites are offering 19/5 on him repeating this feat on Wednesday.
Sunderland vs Liverpool prediction 2: Hugo Ekitike to score at any time - 13/10 with BetMGM
Sunderland vs Liverpool Team News
Sunderland predicted lineup: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Sadiki, Diarra; Hume, Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey
Liverpool predicted lineup: Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Sunderland vs Liverpool Betting Offers
New customers can secure £30 in free bets by signing up with Coral and placing a wager on the Sunderland vs Liverpool match on Wednesday. To qualify, customers must use the provided link to register with Coral before depositing £5 using an eligible payment method.
Subsequently, users must place a £5 bet on any Sunderland vs Liverpool market with odds of 1/2 or greater. Once this qualifying bet has settled, £30 in free bets will be awarded, paid out in six £5 installments. These free bets are valid for use on any sport and remain active for seven days.
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