Sunderland can take another step

Whilst it would be rash to read too much into Sunderland’s victory at Bournemouth a fortnight ago – the home team had enough chances to win two matches – the fact is that three away points lifted spirits on Wearside and gave David Moyes some breathing space. He should never have been put under pressure by the papers anyway.

I couldn’t quite believe Southampton’s defeat at Hull the following day. The Saints play a pleasing brand of football and were way too good for the home team after taking an early lead. But you have to score the second goal and they didn’t. In addition, giving Robert Snodgrass free-kicks anywhere up to 30 yards from goal is a recipe for disaster and he more than anyone prompted the 2-1 turnaround.

Hull still looked desperately ordinary and it is easy enough to see why Steve Bruce, with no injection of funds, wanted away. They go to SUNDERLAND knowing that defeat will give the home team another lift as they struggle to get away from trouble and I believe this is the way it will turn out.

The Premiership looks tricky otherwise, though Spurs will probably have too much fire-power for West Ham, while WBA v Burnley looks a draw. They aren’t confident selections, however, whereas LIVERPOOL, in tremendous form of late, may be the value at St Mary’s. Of course, they will turn up with four ex-Saints and that tells you everything, really. Southampton have done wonderfully well to paste over the cracks with players slightly below the level of the departed (not that Lovren is a better centre-back than Van Dijk) but Mane is on fire and Liverpool look a title-winning outfit at present. It should be a cracking game and I expect goals.

That should also be goals in QPR v Norwich, with the home team under new management and the Canaries struggling to pick up the thread again.

Those prepared to play at a short price should look first at SHEFFIELD UNITED, who will surely go up at last, against struggling Shrewsbury in League One. There are games where you put up with 4/9 and this is one of them

SUNDERLAND 30 units at 23/20 (five firms) to beat Hull

LIVERPOOL 20 UNITS AT 23/20 (Betfred) to beat Southampton

SHEFFIELD UNITED 40 units at 4/9 to beat Shrewsbury