Sunderland 19/20 to beat Hull City in Saturday’s EFL Cup tie

Competition: EFL Cup

Market: Sunderland win

Odds: 19/20 @ 888sport

Making a return to competitive action on Saturday afternoon, Sunderland will welcome Hull to an empty Stadium of Light this weekend.

Starting with the hosts, while Sunderland might have missed out on a spot in the play-offs after watching last year’s League One campaign brought to an early finish, the Black Cats have enjoyed a successful summer run. With their sights firmly set on finding a route out of the third-tier this time around, Phil Parkinson’s men won all three of their pre-season contests and many around the North East feel they could be ready for a much-needed resurge. Signing off their preparations with a 1-0 win against League Two debutants Harrogate Town, the one-time Bolton boss has seen his side enjoy a continued purple patch on home soil. Including back-to-back 3-0 wins against Bristol Rovers and Rochdale, Sunderland are unbeaten in each of their last 10 competitive matchups at the Stadium of Light and should be looking to make a statement this weekend.

As for the visitors, sacrificing their Championship status in woeful fashion over the summer and failing to squeeze in a single pre-season contest before making a return to action this weekend, Hull really have the feel of a club in crisis. Signing off their campaign with a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Cardiff, the Tigers lost each of their final six second-tier appearances on the bounce, including that embarrassing 8-0 drumming at the hands of Wigan. Preparing for life back in League One, Grant McCann’s strugglers remarkably managed to land just a single Championship victory since New Year’s Day and should be in for another overwhelming test when they travel to the North Eastt. Hit with a 1-0 defeat when they last faced off against Sunderland back in 2018, we’re backing a similar home victory this weekend.

Bet: Sunderland 19/20 to beat Hull City in Saturday’s EFL Cup tie @ 888sport