Premier League 2010 Gambling Predictions<\/strong><\/p>\n Matchup<\/strong>: Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers\u2019 creative midfielder David Dunn is expected to take the pitch in some form for Blackburn as they kick off against a visiting Sunderland side that put together\u00a0four straight draws, the last three coming against Liverpool and powerhouses Arsenal, and Manchester United.<\/p>\n Dunn, who has seen limited action in three matches since Aug 14, appears to have made a full recovery from a hamstring strain and will be a welcome addition to Blackburn side that have been somewhat erratic as of late, with a draw, a win and a defeat from their last four games. The Rovers failed to score for the first time in 11 Premier League games when they lost to Stoke last weekend, while Sunderland recorded a nil-nil draw for the first time in 18 games when they were held to a goalless stalemate by top table Manchester United.<\/p>\n Fortunately for Blackburn, their record at Ewood Park has been impressive, converting just over half of their home fixtures into victories over the recent years.<\/p>\n In the sides two meetings in 2009, <\/strong>Sunderland led twice, with both goals coming from striker Darren Bent, but Blackburn netted the equalizer both times, firstly by Morten Gamst Pedersen and then El Hadji Diouf. The Black Cats took three points from the first match winning 2-1 and then the two split the second meeting with a 2-2 draw at Lancashire.<\/p>\n Bent, Sunderland\u2019s top scorer this season with five goals, is a major doubt for the trip to Ewood Park as he returned from England duty with a groin injury. Manager Steve Bruce is hoping he can recover over the next two days, but just in casethe scoring burden will fall on club\u2019s record signing Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan.<\/p>\n Loan signing Danny Welbeck, who was ineligible for the game against parent club Manchester United, returns to the squad, while Kieran Richardson, Anton Ferdinand, and John Mensah have all made full recoveries from hamstring injuries as well as keeper Craig Gordon who is back in contention from a broken arm suffered in a July training accident.<\/p>\n Blackburn has its own share of fitness problems and will be without Keith Andrews who is out after having an operation on a groin injury, while Ryan Nelsen is a doubt with a thigh problem, and Vince Grella will miss due to a hamstring strain.<\/p>\n Matt\u2019s Free Prediction: <\/strong>It is the first time since September 1994 that Sunderland have drawn four successive League games. If they draw again it will be the first time since October 1984 they have drawn five in succession. The club is yet to register an away win this season and only managed a mere two all of last season. <\/p>\n With Bent out, I look for the Rovers to pick up three-points at home, where they\u2019ve lost just two of their previous 11 league matches.<\/p>\n
\nDate\/Time: <\/strong>Monday, October 18, 2010 3:00 PM ET
\nVenue: <\/strong>Ewood Park in\u00a0town of Blackburn, Lancashire UK.
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>ESPN2
\nMoney Line: <\/strong>Sunderland (+260) Blackburn (+105), Draw (+225)
\nSpread: <\/strong>Blackburn – \u00bd
\nOver\/Under:<\/strong> 2 \u00bd
\nBET ON Sunderland vs. Blackburn HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/soccer\/soccer_300x600_mybanner.gif)
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