Sunderland host Sheffield Wednesday in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland beat Doncaster and Wednesday beat Crewe. Sunderland were without striker Nathan Broadhead who is facing at least three months out with a hamstring tear, and Lee Johnson also revealed that midfielder Carl Winchester missed out on the game due to a calf injury that he picked up in training. Aiden O’Brien, Jordan Willis and Ellis Taylor all tested positive for Covid-19. 'Wednesday had their Boxing Day home game against Burton Albion postponed due to Covid and still have a number of their squad coming back to full fitness. Wednesday’s unbeaten league run, which now stands at 12 games after the win at Crewe, continued throughout November & December and it all began with a 3-0 win against Sunderland at Hillsborough. Lee johnson: “We've had a couple out with Covid-19. Aiden O'Brien was out today after testing positive. "We've also had Jordan Willis and Ellis Taylor testing positive. It is tricky because you don't know what your team is going to be. "I hardly slept last night because all that I could think about was people mixing, the lateral flows etc. We've just got to be agile, and the good thing is that we have got players who can be flexible." "Carl twisted yesterday in training, in what was pretty much the last action of the day. Something happened in the sort of bottom of his calf, top of his Achilles, and we're hoping that it's not too bad. "It was really professional from us. We knew that it was a bit of sticky wicket for Doncaster in terms of the players that they had out, though of course we do as well. “There are big expectations here and we're going to need to produce. I still think that we've got another gear in us. I think that we can hit top gear by adding quality (in January), getting players back, and keep hammering down on the philosophy. “When we played simply today, which is the hardest thing to do, we looked a really good side.” Darren Moore: “We are all frustrated and so disappointed to have two games postponed and I know that you will be feeling exactly the same way. “This time of year is deeply embedded into the football calendar, yes it’s normally a hectic schedule but with a lot of points to play for and we went into the festive period in the ascendancy. “We had back to back games to look forward to at Hillsborough, it was all nicely set up for the team and the fans. “Football cannot escape the situation that we are in and everyone’s health is paramount, so we have to deal with it and prepare for the next time we play, which right now is Sunderland for a game that wouldn’t be out of place in the Premier League, which says a lot. “We have a week to prepare, we are back to phase one at the training ground and it will stay that way for as long as is necessary. The players are returning in phased groups, we are testing on a daily basis and I am hopeful that we can get everybody integrated, get back into that rhythm and our programmes back on track. Match Appointments: Referee: BEN TONER Assistant Referees: Simon Clayton and Robert Atkin Fourth Official: Peter Wright Team Line ups Sunderland: Hoffmann, Hume, Doyle, Flanagan, Wright, Neil, Embleton, Pritchard, Gooch, Stewart, Dajaku Subs: Burge, Cirkin, Younger, Winchester, Evans, Harris, Kimpioka. Injured: Willis, Huggins, Winchester, McGeady, O’Nien, Broadhead. Sheffield Wednesday: Peacock-Farrell, Palmer, Iorfa, Dunkley, Johnson, Corbeanu, Adeniran, Dele-Bashiru, Shodipo, Gregory, Paterson. Subs: Wildsmith, Brown, Hunt, Kamberi, Bannan, Sow, Berahino, Injured: Huchinson, Byers, Gibson, Windass, Luongo Betting Odds: Sunderland 19/20 Wednesday 11/4 Draw 12/5 My two pence: A great performance and result against Doncaster, and we could easily have had double the amount of goals. This game will be a lot tougher, Wednesday are no mugs, but we need to reap revenge for that 3-0 defeat down at their place. All I ask for is 3 more points. I’m going for a 2-0 home win Live Stream: https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Great stuff. RTB has posted the match thread which means the EFL are powerless to postpone the game. Nice one mate
Home win imo and we march on relentlessly to the title. 3-1, Stewart, Neil and Dajaku with the goals roared on by over 30k beautiful bastards under the lights. Ha'way the Lads.
cheers again RTB... going to be a big test this one, hopefully wednesday do not see this as 'their cup game' and we can watch two good teams just playing football, a good ref will help of course. on current form i feel we can beat anyone but if honest i will take a shaky, close game as long as we get all the points.
Gutted I’m away and can’t go, think it’ll be a good game with a decent atmosphere under the lights. Great chance to maintain our position with Wigan’s game off tomorrow.
should be a good game hopefully we can keep up our good run probably be same team if no injuries and don't forget about the checks don't leave it to late to get inside stadium
RTB A home win, we owe them one after getting beaten at there place! Hume not Cirkin to start? The weather forecast is good for Thursday, so the question is risk Omicron, or pay a tenner to watch... quite a few of my usual neighbours are keeping safe atm and are MIA.
just checked and 'rot her ham' have another potential banana skin with lincoln the morra, after losing to fleetwood are they starting their 'blip'? if so, gives us a wee bit of a chance to get top slot coming into the new year.
Thanks again RTB for another cracking thread. Difficult game to analyse this one as Sheffield have had time away with covid not sure how they will respond after the break. We are flying and owe them one after the drubbing at their place. They have only lost 3 games all season but have drawn a significant number. I’m going for a tight home win and the relentless march continues.
Hoping the incentive to be top for the new year will spur the lads on. Crowd should be bouncing with how we have been playing, so as usual I want a fast start and early goals from us please
cheers @RTB Always a big game but with the incentive to go top atmosphere should be cracking They have played well against all the top teams and have only lost 3 all season But I think we have the momentum. 3-1
Good call but wasn't sure if Cirkin is ready to start - he took a knock on the knee during the Donny game too.
Great thread RTB. Just want to thank you for the effort on all the stuff you have done this season. I think we all so appreciate what you do. Long may it last. Happy new year (early) to fellow Sunderland fans also. Im going for a nice 2-1 to the lads. Im not going to predict the scorers though as I usually jinx them. FTM Hawaaaaay
Think we will be the better team, but struggle a bit. Still think we will win 2-1 in a scrappy game. Bart
Big game but aren't they all. I'd settle for any score as long as we win, play like we did Monday and we've every chance HTL.
Cracking game to look forward to this. They will come to play and hoping we hit the same performance level as yesterday. If we do I can see us with a 3-1 home win roared on by the crowd. Cheers for all these threads RTB.
