Sunderland vs Liverpool: Premier League preview, predictions and bet builder tips

• Ladbrokes previews Sunderland vs Liverpool in the Premier League

• Liverpool are tipped to win with Hugo Ekitike on the scoresheet

• Both teams are predicted to find the net with Reinildo Mandava being shown a card

Still reeling from their dramatic home defeat to Manchester City, Liverpool have another daunting task ahead of them as they visit Sunderland on Wednesday night.

The Black Cats are unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season, helping them mount a surprise challenge for a European spot as they sit ninth. That Liverpool are just three points ahead of the promoted side in sixth tells you all you need to know about how both teams' seasons have panned out, with the champions facing a real battle to even secure Champions League qualification this term.

Check out our in-depth preview for the game at the Stadium of Light, including lineups, predictions and tips for your Sunderland vs Liverpool bet builder.

• Fixture: Sunderland vs Liverpool

• Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

• Kick-off: 20:15 GMT

• Venue: Stadium of Light

Our prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Liverpool

While it is a far from easy game for the Reds, we're going along with the bookies' prediction for an away victory here.

Despite letting their lead slip against City, Liverpool looked strong in parts and having scored 10 goals across their previous two games prior to that, we think Arne Slot's men will still fancy themselves to get three points.

Sunderland

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Roefs / Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo / Sadiki, Diarra / Hume, Le Fee, Talbi / Brobbey

Liverpool

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson / Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez / Gravenberch, Mac Allister / Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo / Ekitike

The goalscoring burden has been shared between Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai in recent weeks and with the latter suspended following his red card vs City, the French striker will be the danger man for the visitors.

Ekitike continues to impress in a Liverpool shirt, bagging 15 goals in all competitions this term and, after a recent double against Sunderland's rivals Newcastle, he'll be confident of adding to his tally.

Reinildo Mandava is the favourite in the cards market and for good reason, with the left-back no stranger to a booking having picked up five yellow cards and one red this season.

The Mozambique international will likely come up against the trickery of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz in his regular left-back spot so we think a few tactical fouls could be in order to thwart Liverpool's attacks.

Man City are the only team to have stopped Regis Le Bris' side from scoring at home in the Premier League this season and they will fancy themselves to find the net again versus a slightly patched-up Liverpool defence, which will likely have Curtis Jones featuring as a right-back.

Given Liverpool are well capable of causing problems for any defence on their day, it feels like we could have an entertaining game on our hands with both goalkeepers beaten.

Our final selection is for Liverpool to get an important away victory and consign Sunderland to their first home defeat of the Premier League season.

Aside from their late collapse against City, Liverpool have begun to string some form together and they'll know they cannot afford many more slip-ups to keep the pace with top-five rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, who have both won their last four. We're predicting a statement away win for the champions here.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.