BETTING NEWS FOR SUNDERLAND VS ROVERS

IT doesn’t get any easier for managerless Bristol Rovers. Following a run of four successive defeats, they head to Sunderland tomorrow to face a team that last lost in mid-September and has since won seven and drawn four of their subsequent 11 league matches; no wonder the Gas are quoted at 11/2 (William Hill) to win.

Indeed, under the circumstances, Sunderland’s 4/6 starting price (Ladbrokes) actually looks quite generous; the draw, meanwhile, is offered at a chunky 3/1 (bet365).

Given this disparity in starting prices, the handicap markets have proved popular, with Marathonbet’s 6/5 for Rovers to win when handed a one-goal start attracting steady support; 188bet quote 4/9 about the Gas winning when given a two-goal artificial advantage.

Though they’ve conceded at the rate of one goal per game at home, Sunderland are undefeated at the Stadium of Light, form which makes Coral’s 4/5 for both teams to score looks a tad stingy. However, as they’ve averaged more than two goals per home match, Skybet’s 11/10 for the contest to produce more than 12.5 corners looks good value if you believe Rovers will be under constant pressure.

Could the Gas cause an upset? Of course they could, but the length of the odds (14/1, Betfred) against them winning 1-0 gives an indication of how difficult it will be; a 1-1 draw is rated a 6/1 shot by 888sport.