Betting Tips for Today

Sunderland enter the New Year fixture with a very solid home record, having remained unbeaten at the Stadium of Light in league competition this season and avoiding defeat in their last three matches, including two clean sheets. However, the long-term reality remains that they have suffered eight consecutive defeats against Manchester City and have not beaten this opponent since November 2013, which clearly underlines the gap in quality and the psychological dynamics between the two sides. The home team are further weakened by an extensive list of absentees and Africa Cup of Nations call-ups, including Ajibola Alese, Daniel Ballard, Habib Diarra, Bertrand Traore, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, Arthur Masuaku and Reinildo Mandava. Manchester City also have several injury concerns, but they travel with six consecutive league victories and their current form appears highly convincing. The visitors’ attacking play is driven by Rayan Cherki, who is currently among the most productive creators in the league, while Erling Haaland, the league’s leading scorer, will be aiming to make an impact on his first appearance at this stadium. Taking into account the form, squad depth and long-term dominance in this fixture, the most likely outcome is a Manchester City victory.

Ipswich enter the New Year round boosted by a significant 2-0 victory away at league leaders Coventry, ending their long home unbeaten run and confirming their ambitions in the race for automatic promotion. The home side boast one of the strongest home records in the division, having collected 25 points from 12 matches at Portman Road, and they have consistently delivered very stable performances there. Oxford arrive without a permanent manager and although they managed to defeat Southampton under caretaker leadership, the subsequent home defeat to Swansea once again exposed the team’s structural fragility. The visitors sit just three points above the relegation zone and now face the risk of the bottom positions drifting further away. Ipswich have room for rotation and a wide range of attacking options, while Oxford are dealing with injury absences including Hidde ter Avest and Cameron Brannagan. Given the contrast in home strength, form and overall stability between the two sides, the most logical selection is an Ipswich victory.

Watford have responded strongly since their early December defeat to Birmingham and are now unbeaten in six matches, having climbed into the Championship’s top six. At Vicarage Road they remain extremely reliable, being unbeaten in their last nine league fixtures and ranking among the division’s most successful home sides. Birmingham arrive in poor condition, having gone six matches without a win, losing their last three away games and being significantly weakened by injuries and suspensions. The visitors are without suspended duo Tommy Doyle and Christoph Klarer, while key wide attacker Demarai Gray is also expected to miss out. The long-term head-to-head record at Vicarage Road is heavily in Watford’s favour, with the Hornets winning the last six league meetings there with an aggregate score of 12–0. Taking into account current form, home strength and historical context, the most likely outcome is a Watford victory.