Yes, it is the classic tale of title contenders versus also-rans at Old Trafford. The question is whether the plucky underdogs of Manchester United can tame the charging Black Cats from the top end of the table.

In all seriousness, Ruben Amorim will be hoping that this is where the lack of European football for his side will mean that this is where he can start to make some inroads into the teams above them, including, of course, Sunderland.

If you want more stats ahead of this massive clash at Old Trafford, you can get them from the Man United v Sunderland Betting Stats.

These recommended Best Bet Builder Bookmakers are worth a look for the week's action.

📂 Man United v Sunderland Cheat Sheet

📈 Man United v Sunderland Form & Tactics

Manchester United are in their usual inconsistent form. Ruben Amorim is still searching for back-to-back wins as Manchester United manager, which isn’t a good situation for a man who has been in charge for as long as he has. They have gone win, loss, win, loss over the last four Premier League matches, so they will obviously be hoping that that sequence continues here.

However, there are some positive signs if people want to look for them. United’s 2025/26 season in the Premier League shows that they are averaging 2.44 xG per match and conceding 1.48 xG, a clear difference in United’s favour. They have actually won the xG battle in five of their seven fixtures, but this all means that they are failing in both boxes, which is a big issue on the pitch for Amorim.

Sunderland, on the other hand, have been clinical in both boxes. They are in many ways the polar opposite of Manchester United, overperforming their data by scoring more goals than they should have done and conceding fewer goals than they have meant to as well.

The Black Cats come into this match having avoided defeat in all bar one of their matches so far this season. They won their last fixture away at Nottm Forest with a set-piece goal, something that they have specialised in over the last couple of seasons. Who could forget Dan Ballard’s dramatic header from a corner to get Sunderland promoted?

Sunderland are yet to concede more than once in any fixture this season. Given Manchester United’s propensity to create a lot of good chances, this is likely to be tested in this fixture. Sunderland are blocking over four shots per match, and conceding more shots outside of the box than in the box, both signs of a well-organised box defence that United will have to break down.

📔 Man United v Sunderland Formation & Team News

Man United

You probably don't need me to tell you the shape of Manchester United’s team. It seems to be a media obsession around Amorim's favoured 3-4-3 shape. It can be argued, and often is, that Amorim is still searching for the right blend of players to make this system work, but we have seen plenty of teams, not least Amorim's own Sporting, make this system work very effectively.

Casemiro is available for United again after suspension, and Amad is expected to be part of the matchday squad as well following a family bereavement. It is likely to be close between Amad and Diogo Dalot as to who starts on the right of midfield.

Sunderland

Sunderland have settled on a compact 4-2-3-1 shape. The key to their success has been the partnerships that they have developed all over the pitch. Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele have been solid, Granit Xhaka has dovetailed perfectly with the energy of Noah Sadiki, and the wingers have supported the full-backs brilliantly.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Sunderland, and having had a full week of recovery and preparation for today, there is an expectation of an unchanged XI. Dan Ballard could potentially come in if Nordi Mukiele is feeling a rumoured injury.

Football Predictions at Andy's Bet Club

Keep up with our Football Betting Tips, as well as Premier League Predictions for this weekend, on Andy's Bet Club.

For Thursday's football, we also have a Premier League Accumulator, for Saturday's games, as well as Arsenal v West Ham Bet Builder Tips, Leeds v Tottenham Betting Tips, and Chelsea v Liverpool Bet Builder Tips.

Goals bettors can cheer on our Over 2.5 Goals Acca Tips and Both Teams to Score Tips. Those who are fans of player props can also back our Player Shots on Target Betting Predictions and Player Fouls Betting Tips.

We recommend both the Paddy Power Sign Up Offer, the bet365 Sign Up Offer, and the BetMGM Sign Up Offer. There's a range of Free Bet Offers on site too, as well as the Best Odds Boosts.

* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.