Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
Sunderland
Sunderland sit seventh and are just two points off second-placed Arsenal. The team have a positive goal difference (+2) and have lost only once so far, and that was an unlikely defeat — a 0:2 reverse against fellow newly-promoted Burnley. In the previous round, the team held FA Cup and FA Community Shield holders Crystal Palace to 0:0. It was always going to be hard to expect more against opponents so solid at the back. It looks like a near €200m spending spree is paying off. Granit Xhaka has been particularly steady in midfield, Nordi Mukiele has not put a foot wrong in defence, and goalkeeper Robin Roefs kept Sunderland in the game against Crystal Palace with six saves.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa look decent at the back (averaging one conceded per game), yet they have issues in attack. They have still not scored in the Premier League and only found the net for the first time in the EFL Cup: 1:1 against Brentford. The goal did not help in the end, as Brentford went through after a penalty shoot-out. Yes, key player Amadou Onana has been dealing with a hamstring issue early in the season, but he is less central to their attacking play.
Sunderland vs Aston Villa Prediction
With Aston Villa struggling like this, possibly without Amadou Onana, Sunderland clearly have every chance of at least a draw. The extra midweek fixture Aston Villa played hardly helps their cause. Our bet is Double Chance — Sunderland or Draw.
