Man City are 1/3 favourites to beat Sunderland in today’s Capital One Cup final (2pm KO, Live on Sky Sports 1), but the Black Cats have a good record against them and look worth a small wager at 9/1 to cause an upset.
City are brilliant at their best, but they came close to exiting the competition when drawing 1-1 againt Blackburn at Ewood Park before trouncimg the 5-0 at the Etihad and have been held 0-0 in the league by Norwich and beaten by today’s rivals 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Indeed, Sunderland have have beaten the Citizens at home in the last 4 seasons, all by a 1-0 scoreline, and in 8 previous FA Cup finals between the pair have won two and drawn 2.
Gus Poyet’s side have also not had it easy to make the final, having overcome Chelsea and Man United on their way to Wembley
They have also only failed to find the net in the league this season in games with Hull, Aston Villa and Norwich and their record of scoring against the big named sides has to be a plus.
I they can hold strong in what is likely to be an early City onslaught then they have enough fight to serve it up and frustrate Manuel Pelligrini’s men, and at the 9/1 generally on offer look worth a small bet.
I also wouldn’t put anyone off backing them on the handicap with a two goal start at the even money on offer with bet365.
Adam Johnson has scored 7 in the league this season a1 in the FA Cup for Sunderland, and that makes the midfielder looks worth a small each-way punt in the first goalscorer market at 16/1 with bet365.