Sunderland must pick up more points at home to avoid Premier League drop zone

Avid sports betting bettors know when betting on the Premier league a couple of results can transform things drastically, especially considering a tight league as the English Premiership. Sunderland, who had dropped to the bottom three of the Premier League table on the heels of a poor run, snapped their losing streak last weekend when they beat the Blackburn Rovers 2:1. The three points they earned on the away win saw them ascend the table to 11th place.

Though they are one spot shy of being ranked in the top ten, the position is somewhat deceiving as the clubs in the bottom half of the table (ranked 11-20) are all within one point of each other with Sunderland at the top of the pile at 15 points and WBA, the lowest ranked club, at 11 points.

With every match a table-changer, there is a lot at stake for each club and none can afford a loss. It would most certainly plummet their standing in the League table. Looking at the table there are a couple of gaps starting to appear and Sunderland, confident they are over the wobble that saw them drop into the bottom three, must pick up more points if they hope to stay out of the drop zone.

Soccer Betting Line:

Sunderland -½ +120 +120 2½ O Ev U -120 1½ O +120 U -150 Draw +225

West Ham United +½ -140 +225 2½ O Ev U -120 1 O -105 U -125

Match Time: 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time, Sunday November 23, 2008

Soccer Betting Analysis:

Sunderland +120: The Wearsiders are hosting West Ham on Sunday in Premier League action but in spite of having home edge, they are not the firm favourites in the BetUS Sportsbook soccer betting market. At +120, they are slightly favoured over West Ham (+225) though and after having finally snapped a losing streak they will look to build on that result.

West Ham United +225: West Ham United failed to take the win in their last Premiership fixture at home, but the scoreless draw gave them a point and they are just above the League’s relegation zone. They have no choice but to go for the win at Sunderland as hovering perilously close to the danger zone is just tempting fate.

Soccer Betting Verdict: The bottom of the Premiership table is an all out battle between the ten clubs clustered so tightly. Sunderland has much to be optimistic about – they snapped a three-match losing streak last weekend and overall, in their last six matches, they are 2-1-3. At home, they are 2-1-3 as well.

West Ham is in a slightly less advantageous place morally as they are on a poor run that seems ongoing. In their last six, they have gone 0-2-4. Their away record, 1-1-4, leaves much to be desired.

For Sunderland, this will be a real test of character, especially if they want to seize a top table finish to their season. West Ham odds are attractive for the away win and it would be shame to miss such good odds, but I am not convinced they have the quality to beat Sunderland on the away.

Soccer Free Picks: Sunderland +120 | Over 2.5 goals Even

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room