Guardian angels smiling on Sunderland

Profit of 19 points on the Star Spreads distances last night at Kempton with a sell at 10.6 and a make-up of 8.1. That’s been a good couple of days since the Tuesday disaster but unfortunately still means I am closing January with a loss of 23.20 points.

Hopefully will hit the ground running early in February with the first Premier League game of the weekend. Newcastle v Sunderland in the Tyne/Wear derby which kicks off at 12.45pm.

Having looked condemned to relegation earlier in the season, there’s a new sparkle about Sunderland under the Gus Poyet regime and the evens about Newcastle looks too short – particularly as the Toon will be without Yohan Cabaye (sold) and Loic Remy who is suspended after being sent off against Norwich.

The Black Cats have lost just one of their last eight league matches (W3, D4), and are unbeaten in their last five away from home (W2, D3).

And it was in this fixture last season that gave Paolo Di Canio a remarkable 3-1 win over their arch rivals in what was only his second game in charge.

A win for the Wearsiders would give Sunderland three successive league wins against Newcastle – a feat they last achieved on 22 December 1923.

HEAD TO HEAD
(Last 10 only)
Oct 2013 Premier Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle
Apr 2013 Premier Newcastle 0-3 Sunderland
Oct 2012 Premier Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle
Mar 2012 Premier Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland
Aug 2011 Premier Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle
Jan 2011 Premier Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle
Oct 2010 Premier Newcastle 5-1 Sunderland
Feb 2009 Premier Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland
Oct 2008 Premier Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle
Apr 2008 Premier Newcastle 2-0 Sunderland

Sunderland’s win here in April helped them avoid the drop last season but they are of course very much in the mire at the moment.

However, a win at lunchtime would quite incredibly lift them from 17th to 12th – positively mid-divison territory !!

Newcastle themselves were going great guns earlier in the season but they’ll remain eighth – even with a win and they seem to be losing some momentum. The Magpies have failed to score in four of their last five league games.

There have been five red cards in the last seven league games between the sides. However, this season’s meeting at the Stadium of Light produced only two yellow cards.

I’m a seller at 60 on the bookings index. That’s already factoring in a lot of card action – too much IMO.

SELL BOOKINGS for 10 points at around 60 with Star Spreads

RUNNING RETURN (JANUARY): LOSS 23.20 POINTS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.