It’s often the case that punters who, when they see one side holding home advantage against longer-priced opponents, automatically place bets on what they perceive to be an easy home victory without taking account of the visitors’ form.

It may be as a surprise to learn that while West Brom have taken 16 points from their last ten league games, Sunderland have secured ten points over the same period.

In a league table based upon recent results, the Baggies would be seventh; Sunderland 14th, five places higher than they are in the Premier League table.

But Sunderland are an enormous 9/2 (Skybet) to win at the Hawthorns, with Albion are offered at 4/5 (Unibet).

Newcastle squeezed past Rotherham with a narrow 1-0 victory when the leaders visited the New York Stadium in October, but the Magpies are quoted at 3/10 (Unibet) to win more comfortably at St James’ Park in a contest bottom club Rotherham kick off as Matchbook’s 12/1 underdogs.

Newcastle settled their previous meeting before the break and Bwin’s 7/4 for the first half to finish 0-0 has found favour, while Betfred’s 5/6 for the fixture to again yield fewer than 2.5 goals attracts support.

Backers expecting a drawn first period (11/10 by Coral) to set the tone may fancy the look of bet365’s 7/1 marked against both halves finishing level.

The more optimistic may prefer Marathonbet’s 3/1 for Newcastle to win following a drawn opening half.

Dwight Gayle is 4/7 (Matchbook.com) to score at any time, while the most popular result in the correct score markets is a 2-0 home win – at 6/1 by Coral.

No top-flight side has scored fewer goals at home (nine) than Middlesbrough, as they face fellow strugglers West Ham.

Boro are 6/4 (188bet) to register their fifth win of the campaign, with West Ham 9/4 (bet365). Skybet’s 6/1 for Boro to win 1-0 has attracted heavy support.

Hartlepool have never defeated Stevenage in nine attempts and suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat in September. And despite the arrival of new boss Dave Jones, Pools open as Betway’s 2/1 underdogs to avenge that reverse at the weekend with Stevenage offered at 8/5. A 2-0 home win is rated an 11/1 shot by 888sport.

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