Premier League: Manchester United v Sunderland match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Old Trafford

Manchester United will look to continue on their recent good form as they look to extend their six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.

Last week's impressive victory at the Etihad Stadium has put United in pole position going into the festive period, and they will look to extend their excellent form over Sunderland - winning 15 and drawing five of their last 20 Premier League meetings with the Black Cats.

Sunderland will arrive at Old Trafford in positive mood after their comprehensive mid-week victory over Reading at the Stadium of Light - just their fifth win in 30 games.

Only Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier have orchestrated more Premier League wins at Old Trafford in the Premier League than Martin O'Neill, so an away win is not unthinkable for the Mackems.

 

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

 

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Manchester United 2 (Berbatov 2) Sunderland 0, Premier League, Dec 2010

Manchester United 1 (Brown o.g) Sunderland 0, Premier League, Nov 2011

Sunderland 0 Manchester United 1 (Rooney), Premier League, May 2012

 

STATS…

Robin van Persie has scored 14 goals in 20 appearances this season for United.

Manchester United have already conceded more goals this season (23) than the entire 2007/2008 campaign (22).

Only seven sides have conceded more goals than Manchester United.

Sunderland are yet to be awarded a penalty this season.

Sunderland have come from behind to win only one of the last 109 PL away games in which they've trailed (2-1 v Blackburn, Nov 08).

Martin O'Neill is the only manager ever to win at Old Trafford with two different teams.

 

ODDS…

Manchester United to win: 1.22

Sunderland to win: 17.5

Draw: 7.8

 

TV: Highlights on BBC 1, 10.25pm

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)

As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...

by Alex Miller

iBet: A tight game between Northampton and Bradford

A tight game could be in prospect here. Northampton have been keeping things very tight of late and ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: Feeling ill and racing in the rain must be pretty grim

I can’t ever watch games of football or rugby without wistfully wondering what it must be like to be...

by Martin Ayres

       

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in