Pre-Season Friendly: Benfica v Sunderland Odds and Betting Preview

ALBUFEIRA, PORTUGAL- Sunderland`s training camp in Portugal continues this evening with a fixture against Portuguese giants Benfica at  the Municipal Stadium in Albufeira. Their last outing out was against recently-relegated Championship side Hull City, where Sunderland ran out 4-2 winners. Sunderland are likely to face a tougher challenge against Benfica whoever, who are the reigning Portuguese champions.

The size of this challenge is reflected in the odds; Benfica are favourites at 8/13 (£8 profit from a £13 bet) with bookmakers William Hill, whilst Sunderland are priced at 4/1 with Stan James. Steve Bruce has bolstered the Sunderland squad with a number of signings over the summer, including the transfer of Titus Bramble from Premiership rivals Wigan.  It is hoped Bramble can sure up the Sunderland defence, and Sunderland have odds of 11/8 with Sky Bet to keep a clean sheet.

In the half-time/full-time market there are a number of attractive bets especially involving a draw in the first half. The odds for it to be draw/draw are 5/1 with Coral whilst draw/Sunderland is priced at 10/1 with Victor Chandler. Benfica/Benfica is 8/1 with Sky Bet. A fair bet given Benfica`s summer transfer activity, although losing star winger Ángel di María to Real Madrid for a figure reported around €30m, they captured the exciting 24 year old keeper Roberto for €8m from Real Madrid.

Benfica`s strength is represented by Ladbrokes who make them favourites for the coming season in the Portuguese Liga with odds of 21/10. However against Sunderland they still have odds of 9/1 to win to nil with Sky Bet, whilst Sunderland have very short odds of  7/4 to win to nil with the same bookmakers. Benfica also have very good odds of 12/1 to score three or more goals with Sky Bet. Sunderland are 2/1 to score three or more goals with Sky Bet.

For Sunderland, a top half or mid-table finish in the Barclays Premier league is probably a realistic aim. Their odds for the coming season are 1000/1 with bet365 and their price for a top half finish is 6/4 with William Hill.

Barclays Premier League 2010/2011 odds

Full Benfica v Sunderland odds