Prediction: Sunderland vs Liverpool

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 14/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Two Premier League sides seeking an immediate return to winning ways collide at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening, as unbeaten‑at‑home Sunderland welcome reigning champions Liverpool.

The pair meet just over two months after their 1‑1 draw at Anfield, where Nordi Mukiele’s late own goal salvaged a point for Arne Slot’s side.

Sunderland

Sunderland’s form has been unpredictable of late, with three wins, four draws and three losses in their last 10 league outings. True to the pattern, their last five matches have alternated between victory and defeat. Following a comfortable 3‑0 home victory over Burnley, Régis Le Bris’s men suffered a humbling 3‑0 defeat away to leaders Arsenal last weekend.

That setback dropped them to ninth in the table, though they remain only three points behind sixth‑placed Liverpool in an increasingly congested race for Europe.

Wednesday’s return to the Stadium of Light is timely. No Premier League team has collected a greater proportion of points at home this season than Sunderland, who have taken 26 of their 36 points (72.2%) on home turf. Only Arsenal, Man City and Man United have earned more total home points.

Even more impressively, Sunderland are the only top‑flight club yet to lose at home this campaign. Their 12‑match unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light is the longest by a promoted side from the start of a Premier League season since Nottingham Forest’s 21‑game streak in 1977‑78.

Historically, the Black Cats have also performed well at home against reigning champions, winning three of their last five such encounters—including back‑to‑back victories over Chelsea and Leicester in 2016. Only six clubs have ever recorded three straight home wins against the title‑holders.

However, Sunderland have failed to win any of their last 11 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (D5 L6) and average just 0.6 goals per game against the Reds—19 goals in 33 fixtures—the second‑lowest goals‑per‑game return of any team with 30+ matches versus a single opponent.

Team News

Captain Granit Xhaka remains sidelined with an ankle injury, while January arrival Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle) is out and Bertrand Traoré (knee) faces a late assessment. Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra should anchor midfield, with Enzo Le Fée in the No. 10 role behind Brian Brobbey, who has scored three of his five league goals at home.

Trai Hume may continue on the right wing and Chemsdine Talbi on the left. Talbi netted at Anfield and could become the first Sunderland player since Stan Cummins (1980‑81) to score home and away against Liverpool in a single league season.

Liverpool

Liverpool looked set for a precious win over Manchester City on Sunday after Dominik Szoboszlai’s superb free‑kick, only for Bernardo Silva to equalise and Erling Haaland to complete the turnaround with a 93rd‑minute penalty.

Last‑minute heartbreaks have become a concerning theme for Slot’s side. The Reds have now conceded four 90th‑minute winners in the league this season—already matching the Premier League single‑season record shared by multiple teams despite still having 13 matches left to play.

Defeat to City was Liverpool’s eighth league loss of the campaign—double their tally from last season’s title‑winning run. With only one win from their last seven Premier League games (D4 L2), Slot must now contend with serious pressure as the Reds slip five points behind fourth‑placed Manchester United.

There are positives: Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 19 league games versus promoted sides (W14 D5). However, their away form has been woeful. Only two wins in their last 10 away league matches (D3 L5) and 21 goals conceded on the road—more than bottom‑placed Wolves—underline why they remain outside the top five. All three of Liverpool’s Premier League defeats to Sunderland have come in the North East, though they are unbeaten in their last five visits (W3 D2).

Team News

Alexander Isak (leg), Jeremie Frimpong (thigh), Conor Bradley (knee), Giovanni Leoni (knee) and Joe Gomez (hip) are all unavailable. Szoboszlai is suspended after his late red card against City, leaving Curtis Jones as the most likely emergency right‑back.

Up front, both Hugo Ekitike—who has failed to score in five of his last six league games—and Mohamed Salah, without a Premier League goal since November 1, are expected to retain their places. Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo complete the attacking quartet.

Head‑to‑Head

Liverpool have dominated recent meetings, going unbeaten in 11 straight league games against Sunderland. The reverse fixture ended 1‑1, while the Reds have not lost at the Stadium of Light since 2012. Sunderland, however, have a strong historical record at home against reigning champions—and their unbeaten home run this season makes this matchup intriguing.

Conclusion

Liverpool need a strong response after their latest late collapse, but Sunderland have turned the Stadium of Light into one of the Premier League’s toughest venues.

With the Reds misfiring and the Black Cats defensively disciplined at home, another closely fought contest seems likely. A fired‑up Sunderland may well take something from the champions once again.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 14/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet