Sunderland vs Portsmouth - Sunderland and Portsmouth set for an entertaining draw

Sunderland and Portsmouth meet once again at The Stadium of Light on Saturday

The Stadium of Light will welcome Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon (Getty)

Sunderland vs Portsmouth Tips, Predictions & Free Bets

Jack Ross's Sunderland side welcome a confident Portsmouth side to the Stadium of Light this weekend in what promises to be an entertaining encounter.

The two League One heavyweights have played each other several times in recent months and our tip for Saturday's encounter is another draw at odds of 3.40 with bet365.

Sunderland vs Portsmouth Match Details

Date	Saturday 17th August
Venue	The Stadium of Light
Competition	EFL League One
Time	12:30 (GMT +1)

Sunderland Form & Team News

Sunderland have struggled to really get going so far this campaign. The former Premier League giants have drawn their opening two games of the season 1-1, with their last outing being against Paul Lambert’s Ipswich Town. Lynden Gooch was the name on the scoresheet for the Black Cats.

The club did pick up a victory this week in the English League Cup. Goals from Aiden McGeady, Charlie Wyke and Marc McNulty saw them pick up a confident 3-1 victory away at Accrington Stanley.

Jack Ross has struggled to find any consistency with both his starting 11s and his formation so far this season, going for a different approach in each of his three games. He will be hoping McGeady can continue his goalscoring form though, and he is likely to start up front alongside Marc McNulty, who was brilliant on Tuesday night.

Sunderland have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five fixtures at The Stadium of Light in League One, highlighting how much they are struggling to nail down any consistency.

Portsmouth FC Form & Team News

After suffering a set back on the opening day against Shrewsbury, Portsmouth come into Saturday’s game full of confidence after back to back wins in the league and cup.

Kenny Jackett’s men confidently disposed of Tranmere 2-0 in their last league outing. Tom Naylor and Ben Close were on the scoresheet for the team.

They have also shown that they are very capable in defence. The club have only conceded one goal in their opening three games, and that was a worldie from Shrewsbury Town defender Ryan Giles on the opening day.

The club have struggled to find consistency on the road. They have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five away games. Two of those games have been against Sunderland.

Summer signing Ellis Harrison grabbed a brace for Pompey in the Football League Cup against Birmingham but has yet to score in the league. He will once again lead the line for Portsmouth on Saturday as Kenny Jackett would be foolish to tinker with a winning team.

Sunderland vs Portsmouth Analysis - Teams that know each other well

Portsmouth and Sunderland have got to know each other very well over the last 12 months. The clubs played each other a total of five times last season. Twice in the league, twice in the playoffs, and then in the English Football League Trophy final at Wembley.

Three of those encounters ended in a draw, and Sunderland and Portsmouth both won one of those games each. Portsmouth will be out for revenge though, as Sunderland’s win came in the playoffs and brought an end to Pompey’s promotion hopes.

Portsmouth look the stronger of the two sides coming into the game but Sunderland have proven themselves to be incredibly resilient. In both of their games so far they have fought back from a goal down to claim a draw.

Sunderland vs Portsmouth Tips- An entertaining draw on the cards

Sunderland and Portsmouth are both tipped to fight it out for promotion from League One this year and while they have had mixed starts, they should both still comfortably finish in the top six.

Sunderland have drawn their last two games 1-1, and they have drawn more games over the last 12 months than any other team in League One. Another draw is excellent value for this match at odds of 3.40 with bet365.

Sunderland making it three out of three in this one and drawing the game 1-1 again is priced at 6.00 with bet365 and is our tip for the correct score in the encounter.

Verdict

Sunderland v Portsmouth

Sunderland and Portsmouth have gotten to know each other very well over the last year or so. Another draw looks like the most likely result on Saturday afternoon.

Best Bet: Draw @240 at BetMGM - 1 Unit

Correct Score: 1-1 Draw @500 at bet365 Sport NJ - 1 Unit