Roker Riches: Hull at home on Sky! But what bets are worth a shilling or three?

Well, the less said about that last game the better. We genuinely struggled to fill 30 mins of a reaction pod, and anything that leaves the Roker Report Pod lads short for words is far from the attacking flowing football we hoped to see from our new coach and his lads.

As always, before you know it another one comes along (thanks to Hull and Sunderland’s management and initiative, rather than the EFL) and we need to get out there and get more points to climb the league, this time live on Sky Sports where we more often than not fail to show our best performances.

Despite the fact we only gained a point last time out against Northampton away, who parked the bus better than any veteran from the Park Lane Interchange, we are still very much in the hunt for the playoff places, and indeed we do still have plenty chance for the top two slots. A 2 goal win can help us climb from 11th to 6th if results go with us, such is the state of affairs in our disjointed and Covid ravaged league.

This Saturday evening, the Black Cats take on the Tigers in what would generally be classed as a “6 pointer”, despite both teams having played less than half this seasons games. It heralds the return of the prodigal son and former skipper in Honeyman, who after his departure has done well as “Honeyesta” in orange, with very impressive assist stats being something his old mates in red and white will need to counter this weekend.

As discussed in the recent extra pod for the Hull match, some may say if this is a lost game we still have far enough to go to still claim a top 2 slot, but this beautiful game is about confidence as well as tactics. Getting at least a draw is essential for both teams, and while Hull had a decent win against Charlton last time out, they only sealed the game in its last quarter when the opponents went down to ten men. Prior to that, Hull had lost at home to Pompey and Shrewsbury, and away to Blackpool, so Sunderland are arguably more in form with their 3 draws and one win in the last 4. The win being a 4-0 away thumping of a Lincoln side now topping the league (then in second) should give the home fans and team some optimism, but will the Mackem squad be suitably through the after effects of Covid and similarly well schooled with the ways of Johnson to repeat Sincil Bank? Or will the dour football from the Cobblers and Wimbledon return?

Would you bet on the lads taking home the big W in such a crucial but swiftly arranged tie?

Lets see what the Riches team think is worth a punt this time around...

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The Rolling Table Week #15: Season 2020-2021

Yellow card update...

Two of the lads clearly nodded off as a result of the showing at Northampton, hence a pair of yellow cards apply this time out (let’s call them light orange given the opposition).

Unlucky Danny and Gary, that and last weeks tenner losses have put you in the drop zone.

Here is the table as it stands before the Hull game:

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Banker’s Bonus...

If the lads score 2 or more this weekend they will stand a good chance of climbing the table, as mentioned above. If the boys in red score 2 plus goals, win lose or draw an extra tenner will be available for all punters in our next weekend league game.

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This week’s bets:

Matty Crichton says...

George Honeyman to score first against Sunderland: Since it would be the most Sunderland thing to occur during the game, you might as well make some money from it! £5 returns £85.

FA Cup Sixfold: A dangerous amount of teams to bet on but they’re all favourites, Huddersfield, Preston, Swansea, Sheffield United, Everton and Manchester United to all win and advance to the next round. £5 returns £106.73.

Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images

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Gary Morris says...

Sunderland to repeat the Lincoln score and win 4-0. Why not? We did this to Lincoln away away from home when they were top 2, we should be better at the SOL, and Hull should not be bus parking opponents. Fiver returns £335 at 66-1 odds on Skybet.

Stevenage to upset Swansea in the FA cup - there is always a couple, I am backing this one. Fiver returns £32.50

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Phil Butler says...

Sunderland to win and BTTS - Hull City are more similar to Lincoln than to Northampton, and I can see both sides putting on a show in front of the sky cameras. With the appointment of Lee Johnson, we were promised attacking football, and with Hull City possessing one of the best attacks in the league it’s likely we’ll need to score at least two goals to emerge with all three points from this evenings game. £5 returns £30.

German Treble - Once again I’m refusing to touch the FA Cup games, despite being tempted by Exeter to beat covid-stricken Sheffield Wednesday when they were a big price. Instead, I’ve gone continental with a Bundesliga treble, wins for Frankfurt, Freiburg and Hoffenheim would bring home the currywurst. £5 returns £30.50

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

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Paul Fletcher says...

Sunderland to win 2-0 - We can’t be as bad as last Saturday, can we? I’m expecting Hull to offer more of an attacking threat but hopefully we can keep them out and create and convert a couple of chances. £5 returns £55.

BTTS European treble - Real Madrid, Hoffenheim and Marseille all to win without keeping a clean sheet. It’s an ambitious bet but worth a risk as it pays almost 40/1. £5 returns £201.60

Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images

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Malc Dugdale says...

Sunderland to win 2-1 and McGeady to score first.

Just like Honeyman, Aiden has had a recent return to the Sunderland fold. I’m backing him to be too much for Hull, especially with news of one of their regular backs not being available due to injury. Sky Bet has this on at 35-1, so a fiver returns a sweet £180 if the prediction is right.

FA cup 5 way.

Millwall, Everton, Derby, Bournemouth and Leicester all to progress in the cup. These are all short odds but together they give decent odds of just over 16-1. Fiver returns £86.70.

Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images

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Danny Roberts says...

Sunderland to lose and Wilks to score: I just have a feeling we won’t be able to deal with Hull’s break on the pace. £5 returns £30.

League One 3 fold: Gillingham, Ipswich and Crewe all to win. £5 returns £41.20.

Photo by Ben Pooley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Riches Readers’ Random Pick...

This weeks random pick is actually an unlikely score if you follow the view that both teams are attacking focused.

The random selection this week is a 1-0 win for the lads. This offers odds of 6-1 on Skybet, so returns £70 including stake if it happens.

Good luck readers, let’s see.

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Good luck to SAFC, and to all our betting buddies, and let's hope for the first of many wins tonight.