Here you'll find football corners betting tips from our expert football analyst, Liam Johnson. All of the corner predictions published here on WhichBookie are 100% free.
Date published: October 27, 2026
Sunderland
BrentfordSunderland are in a rough place right now. Five points from eight Premier League games, rock bottom of the table, and carrying a points tally that represents the biggest drop from the same stage last season of any top flight side. That is the context heading into this EFL Cup fourth round tie, and it matters, because it tells you everything about where the Black Cats’ heads are likely to be on a Wednesday night at the Stadium of Light.
Brentford, meanwhile, are sitting sixth in the Premier League, unbeaten away from home this season, and have reached the quarter finals of this competition in each of the last two years. Keith Andrews is not treating this as a free hit. That contrast in circumstances shapes this whole preview.
This EFL Cup fourth round tie takes place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, with the winner advancing to the last sixteen of a competition that Sunderland last reached the fifth round of back in 2021 to 2022. For the Black Cats, this is a rare opportunity to generate some positive momentum outside of a Premier League campaign that has been brutal so far. For Brentford, it is a genuine chance to push deep into a competition they have consistently treated with respect in recent seasons.
Sunderland have a few headaches heading into this one, and Regis Le Bris will need to think carefully about how he balances rotation with keeping a competitive squad on the pitch.
On the Brentford side, Andrews is without a few familiar faces but has a strong enough squad to cope.
Le Bris has a juggling act on his hands. With Europa League football and a Premier League relegation battle both pressing, he will almost certainly shuffle his pack here, but he cannot afford to field a side so weakened it gets embarrassed at home. Mukiele looks set to continue, either in the middle or shifted to right back. Brobbey may be given a rest with Timur Tutierov leading the line instead.
Sunderland likely lineup: Ellborg; Mukiele, O’Nien, Alderete, Methalie; Ahoka, Rigg; Fofana, Diarra, Angulo; Tutierov
Andrews is expected to hand Janelt an immediate return to the starting XI after his one match ban, with Aaron Hickey potentially dropping back to his more natural right back position. Carvalho and Callum Wilson, both on the scoresheet against Reading in the last round, are expected to feature, alongside Damsgaard and Diouf.
Brentford likely lineup: Valdimarsson; Hickey, Schuster, Collins, Diouf; Sangare, Janelt; Anthony, Carvalho, Damsgaard; Wilson
Sunderland’s Premier League form has been a difficult watch. Four defeats on the bounce before a goalless draw with Leeds at the weekend gave them something to cling to, and Le Bris was quick to highlight the togetherness and intensity his side showed. That clean sheet was their first in the top flight since August. It is the kind of performance that stops the bleeding rather than heals the wound, but it matters psychologically heading into a midweek cup tie.
The problem for Sunderland is the sheer volume of football they are playing. Premier League survival, an EFL Cup campaign, and Europa League commitments. That is a punishing schedule for a side with genuine injury concerns and a squad that is still finding its feet at the top level. Their nine point deficit compared to the same stage last season is a staggering figure, and it highlights just how much of a step up this has been.
Brentford are in far better shape. A draw with Hull at the weekend was their fifth draw from eight Premier League games, which tells you they are consistent but sometimes lack a cutting edge. However, they have not lost away from home yet this season, and they breezed past Birmingham 6 to 1 in this competition earlier in the campaign before edging out Reading 2 to 1. They turn up in cup football. That is a pattern worth respecting.
These two played out a 1 to 1 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium just seven weeks ago, which is the most recent context between these clubs. Before that, Sunderland beat Brentford 2 to 1 in their last Premier League home meeting, with Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor netting late goals in a dramatic comeback. So the Stadium of Light has been reasonably kind to Sunderland in recent encounters.
Zoom out further though and Brentford have the better of this rivalry in recent years. The Bees have lost just once in their last eight meetings across all competitions, winning four and drawing three. That is a dominant record, and it includes progression in two of their previous three cup ties against Sunderland. The history leans Brentford’s way.
The gap in current form and squad depth between these two sides is real, even if both managers are likely to rotate. Brentford are treating this competition seriously, they have the quality to back that up, and they are travelling to a ground where their recent record is actually pretty solid. The angle here is to back the Bees to progress, and there are a few markets that look appealing alongside that general outlook.
Sunderland have been desperately short of goals this season and even with rotation from Brentford, the visitors carry a real attacking threat. However, the Black Cats also showed defensive resolve against Leeds, and these two sides drew 1 to 1 the last time they met. Under 2.5 goals has some appeal, but if Brentford start brightly and Sunderland chase the game, goals can come. A tight affair feels more likely than a cricket score, so under 2.5 goals is the call.
Brentford are typically aggressive in their approach and will look to get wide and create pressure, while a Sunderland side low on confidence may find themselves pinned back for stretches of the game. A higher corners count feels likely as the Bees push for control. Over 9.5 corners looks a reasonable target in this fixture.
Cup football at this stage tends to carry a bit of edge, and Sunderland will be fighting for something to cling to at a difficult time in their season. A side under pressure often commits more fouls, and with a physical Brentford unit pressing the issue, there should be enough friction to see at least three cards across the 90 minutes. Over 2.5 cards is the lean.
Sunderland’s goalscoring form has been desperately poor in the Premier League, and even with rotation from Brentford, keeping a clean sheet is a challenge for a Black Cats side this low on confidence in the final third. Brentford will score, but whether Sunderland can get on the scoresheet themselves feels uncertain. Given how watertight the Bees have looked defensively on the road this season, BTTS No carries more weight here.
| Market | Selection |
|---|---|
| Match Result | Brentford to Win |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 Goals |
| Both Teams To Score | No |
A controlled Brentford win, kept tight and professional, fits everything we know about how the Bees travel and how Sunderland are struggling to put the ball in the net right now.
Sunderland will give this a go at home, and the Stadium of Light crowd will be right behind them. But the cold truth is that a side sitting bottom of the Premier League with injury problems and a packed schedule is up against a Brentford outfit that is well organised, in decent form, and taking this competition seriously. The Bees have dominated this fixture in recent years and there is nothing in the current landscape to suggest that changes here.
Brentford to win 2 to 0 and book their place in the fifth round.
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