- Sunderland U21 are on a 4-game winning run and unbeaten in 5 Premier League 2 matches.
- Leeds United U21 are on a 5-game winless run in Premier League 2, picking up just 1 point.
- Sunderland U21 have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their 7 home matches in Premier League 2 this season.
Black Cats looking to pounce on a fragile Leeds United U21
The odds for this Monday night Premier League 2 fixture have Sunderland U21 at 121/100 and Leeds United U21 at 149/100, and we think the Black Cats are worth backing here, but not at those odds. The Leeds United U21 side have been struggling in Premier League 2, and we’re backing the hosts to edge a goal-fest on Monday.
Graeme Murty’s Sunderland U21 side have won their last 4 matches on the bounce, and are unbeaten in 5 Premier League 2 outings. Their last 3 wins came away from home, as they thrashed Crystal Palace Academy, Everton Academy and Brighton & Hove Albion Academy. The Black Cats are also known for their direct, vertical approach to the game, and have instilled a style of play which maximises their midfield runs and fast-paced transitions. Their situational pressing is ideal for triggering these transitions, and can lead to some high-scoring matches when it clicks.
Sunderland U21 have picked up just 21 points from their opening 15 matches in Premier League 2, enough to leave them in 15th place in the table. At home, they’ve won 2, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their 7 Premier League 2 fixtures, and while their away form has been good of late, it’s only one home game to assess their recent form.
Leeds United U21 are in a bad way, sitting in 24th place in Premier League 2 with just 15 points from their first 15 matches. Scott Gardner’s side have had a tough set of away fixtures of late, losing 3-0 to Manchester City Academy, drawing 2-2 with Chelsea Academy and losing 3-1 to West Ham United Academy. Their home form hasn’t been much better, and they come into this game without a win in their last 5 Premier League 2 outings.
An clash of styles
Leeds United U21 have been heavily associated with a structured, possession-based approach to football, with positional rotations and a collective high press to recover the ball in advantageous positions. This is the philosophy of the senior side, which has trickled down through the academy, and is a far cry from Sunderland’s vertical, transition-based style.
The ‘Both Teams to Score - Yes’ market is available at a very short odds of 9/25, which isn’t good enough to back in a Premier League 2 clash. However, we think both teams will be keen to show the principles of their respective academies in a clash of the styles, and the game will be open.
Sunderland U21 to win and both teams to score will be the main selection for this Premier League 2 game.
