Black Cats to bring good fortune

Sunderland expected to progress on Thursday

One match goes ahead in the EFL Cup on Thursday evening as Sunderland travel to Gigg Lane for the challenge of locals Bury. The tie will be decided in front of the Sky Sports cameras from 7.45pm – enhance your enjoyment with a winning bet.

Coral are trading on well over 160 markets in the match, including winner, total goals, first team to score and half time/full time. There’s no lack of value around, click here to check all football odds and have your say on the outcome.

Sunderland lacking sharpness in front of goal

Sunderland had to settle for an opening day draw in the Championship, the recently relegated side ending all-square with Derby County at the Stadium of Light. Simon Grayson’s crew fell behind to a Bradley Johnson opener early in play, and needed a Lewis Grabban penalty to even things up. The scorer almost capped a perfect debut, hitting the post for a winner in the second-half.

The Black Cats forced 20 shots at goal vs Derby, but managed to put just four of those on target. That’s sure to be a topic for conversation in the run up to this one, but Grayson will take confidence from the fact they’re creating chances, and will go into this midweek test in high spirits. Sunderland are firm favourites for the win, Coral traders giving out 11/10.

Another convincing home win written off

This will be the first competitive meeting of these sides since 2006, another League Cup fixture, but The Shakers were good enough for the win that day, and it was a convincing victory at that, progressing thanks to a 2-0 result. Riera was sent off for The Black Cats after just four minutes, Fitzgerald and Bishop taking full advantage to fire their side through. Fitzgerald was also given an early bath in the closing stages, but the damage had already been done.