AS Roma vs Sunderland tips and predictions

Sunderland to surprise; deadlock beckons

AS Roma may be a few levels above Sunderland but their backers might get their fingers burned here.

AS Roma are odds-on favourites but that short price renders them unbackable. Sunderland don't look likely to get the win but they can put up some resistance. Building on the strong rearguard performances of both sides, a goalless stalemate is the pick and the draw odds available in the match winner market look like pretty good value.

These sides have impressed at the back. Creating something of a fortress at home, AS Roma have conceded only 1 goal in their last 5 matches. Meanwhile Sunderland have conceded only 1 goal in their last 4 matches.

The sportsbooks have forecasted goals at both ends of the park despite the favouritism for I Giallorossi. But with the odds-against price on BTTS No that looks like a good way to extract some value.

AS Roma have drawn 5 of their last 11 matches on their own soil. Also Sunderland have drawn 9 of their last 17 matches on the road. The feeling is it will be a low-scoring affair and the pick has to be with the value offered up by the draw price. You could make worse bets than getting with the deadlock.

Of course, AS Roma are a top tier side so it remains to be seen how Sunderland adapt to the challenge.