Blackburn Rovers (7/5 in Match Betting) can exact revenge on Sunderland (2/1, Draw 12/5) for their last-gasp defeat at the Stadium of Light earlier this season when the two clubs meet again at Ewood Park on Tuesday.
Rovers looked poised to take at least a point when they led going into the last 10 minutes in what promised to be frustrating first day at the office for recently-appointed manager Martin O’Neill back in December.
But David Vaughan’s late equaliser was followed by a stoppage-time winner from Sebastian Larsson, which left Rovers boss Steve Kean to rue his luck as his side missed out on the chance of moving above the Black Cats in the Premier League table.
How much did that goal change the fortunes of both clubs – Sunderland subsequently won six of their next nine matches to move far enough away from the relegation zone to begin thinking about challenging for a European slot next season. Blackburn lost their next two – also by a 2-1 scoreline – before briefly picking up between Christmas and New Year, but they will go into Easter still haunted by the spectre of Championship football next season (10/1 Sunderland win 2-1 in Correct Score).
Blackburn boss Kean does, however, have a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from for the return fixture.
Vince Grella is the only absentee as he continues to struggle with a calf problem, but Bradley Orr returns to the squad.
Sunderland will assess the fitness of full-back Phil Bardsley, who completed the 90 minutes against Everton in the FA Cup despite pain from a dig in the ribs he appeared to receive from Tim Cahill.
Stephane Sessegnon and Lee Cattermole remain suspended, while Kieran Richardson is out with a calf injury.
Blackburn played some of their most fluent football of the season in last week’s 2-0 away win at troubled Wolverhampton Wanderers and, with two goal hero Junior Hoilett playing well (2/1 Anytime Goalscorer), will be confident of causing Sunderland’s patched up back four problems.
O’Neill is still without Wes Brown and Titus Bramble, as well as Richardson, while Bardsley’s fitness could mean a reshuffle across the backline with Matthew Kilgallon in and John O’Shea moved to full-back.
For this reason, it may be prudent to look among the Blackburn squad for value in the First Goalscorer market and there appears to be some with Rovers centre-backs Scott Dann (33/1) and Grant Hanley (33/1).
Sunderland have conceded a league-high proportion of headed goals (32%) in the top flight and may be vulnerable from set-pieces at Ewood Park, which brings the big defenders up from the back.
The Black Cats have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League away games and could struggle to keep Rovers out, but expect O’Neill to put out an attacking line-up (10/11 Over 2.5 Goals).
Sunderland have scored more goals from direct free kick shots at goal than any other team and will be a threat at dead ball situations from Larsson and McClean.
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