Sunderland host Lincoln City at the Stadium of Light in the SkyBet League One. Last time out Sunderland beat Accrington and Lincoln lost to Gillingham The mid-week win at Accrington saw Sunderland extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to ten games. The Black Cats move up to third in the table and just two points off the automatic promotion places with 12 games to go. Ross Stewart scored on his debut after replacing Jack Diamond in the second half, the tall scot getting on the end of a Lynden Gooch cross to loop his header over the diving keeper and into the top corner. Charlie Wyke continued his goal scoring form notching his 24th for the season and top ‘goat’ with 22 in the League. Lincoln are on a bad run of form having only won once in their last 6 games, and recently lost to Sunderland on penalties in the semi-final of the Papa John’s Trophy. The Imps are currently 4th in the league with 61 points after 35 games. Tom Hopper and Jorge Grant are out injured. Centre-back pair Adam Jackson and Lewis Montsma did not train on Thursday as they nursed knocks. If either or both aren't passed fit, TJ Eyoma will come into the centre of defence while teenager Sean Roughan is also on standby. Former Black Cat, Liam Bridcutt is expected to start. Lee Johnson: “I think sometimes that tension can set in at times like this – and I think it did a bit on Sunday, to be honest with you. I didn’t think we were as fluid as we could be.” "I know it sounds a bit sports psychy, but I guess it is. For the first time in a long time, these players are actually getting adulation and people are seeing what they do as positive – we all are, and actually this is the time to ignore it, as strange as it sounds, and focus on the things that we can control.” “We couldn’t control the pitch today, we couldn’t control the opposition’s good play, but what we did do was control our attitude, our tempo and our battling qualities to go and get a very good win.” "They did have a couple of chances, make no mistake. They’re a big side and from set-plays they looked dangerous, but I think in general play we were pretty solid and pretty composed in the way that we played.” "I’m happy that we could use the squad as well. There are boys chomping at the bit and we’ve got really good players to come back in from injury. It’s nice to have the options going into the last eight weeks.” "First to return would probably be O’Brien, Second Jordan, and Bailey – they’ll be pretty close.” "With the Bailey one, it’s a bit frustrating because we sort of maybe pushed him a little bit too early to try and make the final, and that just set him back a little bit.” Michael Appleton: “The lads are fine. In football for me, it’s all about the next game. If you take the last four games, three of the performances have been pretty good, yet we’ve only taken four points from them. Over a period of time, that will change.” “Everyone will be expecting them to turn us over. We’ll go up there and enjoy it. No-one is expecting us to win, everyone is expecting us to lose. Maybe we’ll surprise one or two.” “We played well there that night, clearly, Charlie Wyke is a presence and a danger. Him and Oliver are probably the best two in the division of, when the ball is around them, dealing with it, getting the flick-ons and bringing other people into play.” Match Appointments: Referee: Carl Boyeson Assistant Referees: Mark Cunliffe and Chris Isherwood Fourth Official: Simon Clayton Team Line ups Sunderland: Burge; McLaughlin, Sanderson, O’Nien; Power, Scowen, Winchester, Vokins; Gooch, McGeady, Wyke. Subs: Matthews, McFadzean, Younger, Maguire, Diamond, Leadbitter, Stewart. Injured: Xhemajli, Hume, Willis, Wright, Flanagan, Jones. Lincoln City: (4-4-2) Palmer, Poole, Montsma, Jackson, Edun, Johnson, McGrandles, Bridcutt, Rogers, Skully, Morton Subs: Jones, Archibald, Bramall, Howarth, Eyoma, Long, Roughan Injured: Grant, Hopper. Betting Odds: Sunderland 10/11 Lincoln 14/5 Draw 12/5 My two pence: After Wednesday’s result at the Wham Stadium, I’m confident that we can do this and not only get promotion but go on and win the league. Just saying, but the last time that this referee was in charge of our game we won 8-1 I’m going for another 2-0 win. Live stream £10 https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
3-1 to the lads. Class thread. Marching on together! We are a hard club to stop with momentum and confidence behind us. I trust the gaffer to make whatever changes he sees fit.
Nice one RTB, no prediction from me again but we're in a strong position and long may that continue. OaU.
We haven't played great lately but managed some fantastic wins. Saturday we are either going to be the same and struggle but grind out a positive result or Lincoln are going to see us at our best again and we will embarras them. I'm voting for the latter!
Burge McLaughlin Sanderson O'Nien McFadzean Gooch Power Winchester McGeady Wyke Stewart Subs: Matthews ; Younger, Vokins, Scowen, Leadbitter, Maguire, Diamond
HA'WWWWWWAY THE LADS MACKEMS ATTACKEM There's a lot I've wanted to say of late watching how much the players have improved, the team, tactics etc, but held back because I'm very superstitious when it comes to us, I'm not otherwise and think superstition is ridiculous lol. But I think we are a class above now. Well done to all involved at Sunderland. I'm still not taking it for granted but I'll be very surprised and massively pìssed off if we don't get promoted now.
I woudn't be surprised if LJ matches their formation but having seen their defending against Gillingham - the best form of defence could be to attack them from the start, go 3-0 up and attack them some more
Class thread as usual rtb. I'm going for a comfortable 3 nil home win. I genuinely think their manager has conceded defeat here, especially after his comments during the Trophy Final. I just don't think he fancies this at all, seemed very negative. I could be reading something that isn't there, but he just seemed resigned to getting beat of us.
I would like to see Winchester and Vokins start again and anyone asking for Onien to be dropped or taken out of defence should be held for treason. Other than that Stewart or O'brien up front if fit and between Gooch or Diamond on the right.
At least LJ knows how to change things around if it's not going to plan, I'm sure there will be a blip or two on the way but just have the feeling that we've turned the corner now and the only way is up.
No Leadbitter in the squad at all, that's interesting. Any particular reason or is he out injured? After Wednesday I would probably go with the same team.
It sounds like Wright is out for another few weeks at least, to be fair McFadzean has improved but I'd be OK with Vokins but he needs to stand still when doing interviews