Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Although Sunderland sit atop the Championship table, bookmakers give a slight edge to Luton Town, who only recently showed some promising form. Can Sunderland prove their leadership is no fluke?
Luton Town
Luton Town and their fans longed to see the team in Sunderland's position—after all, they fought hard to secure their first-ever promotion to the Premier League. However, their best achievement was finishing in 15th place. Rumours swirled about Rob Edwards being fired or resigning, but those rumours died down after Luton beat Watford (3:0) in the last round. Facing Sunderland will be a stern test for the hosts, but even in defeat, no drastic actions are expected, as everyone acknowledges the quality of the opposition.
Sunderland
Sunderland have hit a couple of snags in recent rounds, though one could be deemed fortunate: a glaring error by Leeds United's goalkeeper gifted them a draw (2:2), keeping their rival at bay. In the last round, Sunderland played away and secured a deserved, if narrow, victory over Hull City (1:0). They made the most of limited chances: 10 shots, two on target, and 1.05 xG. Importantly, it was Wilson Isidor who scored—his third goal in the last four matches. The outcome for the hosts will largely depend on whether they can contain the former Zenit striker.
Luton Town vs Sunderland Prediction
Luton Town's big win last time out might be deceiving. Sunderland may play it safe on the road, but their winning mentality should influence the game. Unlike the hosts, they won't shy away from mistakes. While Sunderland might not claim victory, a draw seems certain.
