Sunderland welcome Middlesbrough to the Stadium of Light in the Championship Last time out Sunderland lost to Swansea and Middlesbrough beat Millwall Sunderland lost 3-1 to Swansea after Luke O’Nien was shown a red card for a reckless challenge moments after the Black Cats were denied a penalty appeal. Tony Mowbray will have to shuffle the defence once again. Luke O’Nien is suspended for the next 3 games, Embleton, Cirkin, Pritchard, Huggins and Alese are not available due to injury. Amad Diallo won the Fans Player of the Month award for December. Middlesbrough have won their last 4 games in a run that has seen them climb to 4th spot in the table. Chuba Akpom is the leagues’ top scorer with 13 goals and was the Championship player of the Month for December. On loan striker Cameron Archer will be also pushing for a start. Tony Mowbray: "When it was 11 v 11, I think we were very good. I felt a real intensity about the team. Swansea were struggling to get the ball over the halfway line. "It felt as if it was going to be a good day for us. Ultimately it turned into a long afternoon against the team with the best possession stats in the league. "The incident happened where we denied a penalty and then a few seconds later we had a sending off, so the whole game swung on that moment. "If you are going to pick one team to play a man down, it wouldn't be Swansea." Michael Carrick: “Middlesbrough vs Sunderland is a terrific game, I love the rivalry and the competition within this area of the country, the passion is fantastic, and it’s my first derby as a manager. “We’re close in the league table, and for everyone around it, it’s a big game. “They’re playing well, we’re playing well, I’m hugely looking forward to it. “I’ve had mixed experiences over the years going to Sunderland, and hopefully this will be one of the better ones.” Match Appointments: Referee: JAMES LININGTON Assistant Referees: Paul Hodskinson and Ian Cooper Fourth Official: Darren Bond Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-2-3-1) Patterson, Gooch, Batth, Ballard, Hume, Evans, Neil, Omad, Clarke, Roberts, Stewart. Subs: Bass, Wright, BA, Huggins, Bennette, Michut, Dajaku Injured: Embleton, Pritchard, Huggins, Alese, Cirkin Suspended: O’Nien Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1) Steffen, Smith, Fry, McNair, Giles, Howson, Hackney, Forss, McGree, Akpom, Crooks Subs: Roberts, Bola, Bilongo, Mowatt, Watmore, Archer, Hoppe Injured: Clarke, Lenihan, Dijskteel, Fisher Betting Odds: Sunderland 21/10 Middlesbrough13/10 Draw 23/10 Prutton Predicts: 2-2 My two pence: We could have a few more players back after injury and hopefully we have a better set of officials than the last game. Another week in training for Danny Batth should help him regain his match fitness. I’m expecting a few goals in this one, as the 4th highest scorers take on the 3rd highest. Middlesbrough are in form and will be a tough test. I’m going for a narrow 3-2 home win Live Stream: Live on Sky Sports Football Ha’way the Lads
RTB Only weak spot in the team is probably Gooch at LB But needs must. Can we start to improve our home record... yes c'mon
I'm hoping and preying Cirkin or Alese can make a suprise return here. It doesnt bear thinking of them getting the double on us. I hate to say it but Carrick has made these into a very good team and this match worries me alot. They have alot of very talented players at this level.
Looking forward to the game but not confident, at all. Worry about us defensively in the full back positions.
Isaiah Jones battered us down the Right flank last time we played them with his pace and skill. The thought of Gooch playing against him is a big big worry.
We’ve got a poor record against this lot. I’d take 1-1 all day long. Bart (The Worlds Worst at Predictions)
The Boro fans around where I live are buzzing for Sunday and all of them are pretty confident. I really hope the lads dont let us down. Trying to tell the Boro fans we have 5 players missing, 2 of which are our Leftbacks is an impossible job. They think they beat us at full strength last time aswell with Stewart and Ballard injured. I'll dread going into work Monday of we lose.
Agree with others out record against this lot is pants, as it was against Swansea. Dread to think this might end badly again but as always live in hope. Keep 11 on the pitch and we've got a chance. Great thread again RTB....HTL.
Want us to be up for this one. Big crowd and we owe them a good hiding. The away game was one of the worst and weakest performances of the season. Front foot and into these smoggies
They will undoubtedly target our left back area, so Clarke is going to be busy supporting Gooch. We are strong down the right, so I'm going for a 2-1 home win.
Thanks again RTB for setting the scene so well . I think we all know where our weakness's lie and I am sure Carrick will too, he has totally transformed the Boro., and this comes as no surprise, he has been a great signing for them imo. Although snatching a victory is not beyond us , its a very tall order and we are not the tallest, so I would settle now for no controversy, a good performance, and a well earned point. OaU.
Agree, tough game, too tough for us, 2-1 loss. Come kickoff I'll be predicting 2-1 to the lads Hhhaaawwwwaaaaayyyyyyy the lads
