Sunderland welcome Watford to the Stadium of Light in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland beat Sheff Wednesday and Watford lost at home to Middlesbrough. Sunderland strolled to a 3-0 win against an awful Sheffield Wednesday side as they went two nil up within the first 8 minutes with goals from Ballard and Clarke. The Black Cats increased their lead in the 31st minute when Clarke scored from the spot. Tony Mowbray hinted that some changes could be made mid-week with possible opportunities for Aouchiche, Rusyn and Seelt. Pierre Ekwah and Bradley Dack are not available but Jewison Bennette could be ready to return to the squad. Watford had one of the tightest defences in the league before last weekend's 3-0 loss to Leeds, but that record has been blown away by the concession of three goals in each of their past two games. Boss Ismael's thoughts might well be on the fate of his numerous predecessors, notably Rob Edwards, who only lasted 11 games into September last season. Edwards departed with three wins in 10 league games, and the Frenchman is in similar territory this term with two from nine. Tony Mowbray: "It's a bit frustrating because I want us to be more ruthless and score another three goals in the second half if we can, but I understand it's about winning for us and to keep going. "The bigger picture is about being a better team and when teams aren't quite right or set up properly we can really damage them. I want every team to fear us so they do sit plenty of bodies behind the ball." (On Jack Clarke): "He's an amazing footballer, he's very positive and very confident at the moment. "When I think back to being manager of Blackburn Rovers and he was with Tottenham Under-21s and not getting a kick against our young team - something miraculous has happened to Jack Clarke and he's now playing with confidence and belief in himself - and at times he's unplayable." Valerien Ismael: "In the first half, I took the decision to change something tactically, it didn't work out and the opponents scored two goals quickly. "The decision was not the right call, so the first half I have to take on me, but I was pleased with our reaction in the second half, we looked more dangerous. "It's tough period but it's still early in the season. We know how hard the Championship is and we need a turnaround next week to get that confidence back. "We need too many chances to score goals, we need to become more ruthless." Match Appointments: Referee: ANDY DAVIES Assistant Referees: Graham Kane & Carl Fitch-Jackson Fourth Official: Simon Mather Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-2-3-1) Patterson, Huggins, Ballard, O’Nien, Hume, Neil, Jobe, Clarke, Pritchard, Roberts, Burstow. Subs: Bishop, Triantis, Seelt, Rigg, Ba, Auchiche, Rusyn, Hemir, Bennette. Injured: Evans, Alese, Matete, Mayenda, Cirkin, Dack, Ekwah, Pembele. Watford (3-4-3) Bachmann, Porteous, Hoedt, Sierralta; Ngakia, Louza, Dele-Bashiru, Lewis; Asprilla, Rajovic, Bayo. Subs: Ince, Koné, Healey, Pollock, Chakvetadze, Hamer, Martins, Kayembe, Andrews Injured: Sema Betting Odds: Sunderland 19/20 Watford 13/5 Draw 11/4 Prutton Predicts: meh My two pence: At Sheffield Wednesday we had the game sewn up within the first 30 minutes. We dominated possession and when they did have a shot they couldn’t beat Patto. Maybe we should have scored more but I’m not complaining. Watford had a bit of a slow start like us with 2 consecutive defeats, they had a good win against QPR but lost heavily to Leeds away from home and seem to concede easily so I’m going for a 3-0 home win. Live Stream: This game is available on Sky Sports Football red button and also free to view for Sky subscribers on Sky Sports Mix (416) Also available on SAFC live https://safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Love night games so really looking forward to this one. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of changes but I do fancy us to get another 3 points.
Didn’t realise how many 2-2 draws we’d had with them. Hopefully they will come to play and not sit behind the ball. Expecting an exciting game from both teams. 2-1 to the lads
Can't see anything other than a home win here. They were **** against Boro, absolutely wide open at the back. Their defenders will be dizzy with our movement and attacking play. I've gone 3-0 in the prediction league but that could just be the HT score.
Great thread as always, I also noticed that the game is on Sky channel 416, which may interest people if they don't get the red button
Results wise games are tight against these so we have to be on it just like we were Friday. They've got some big lads so again dead ball situations we have to be careful. Would be nice to see us sharing the goals amongst the strikers/ midfield but if Jack Clarke bags another brace I won't mind. Great thread HTL.
Yeah just seen that Sky Sports Mix - I hate watching via the red button as it's always delayed by a few minutes.
Watford fans are not confident https://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/sunderland-v-watford-04-10-23.60558/ Now that worries me.
I think they’ll be fairly defensive as they’ve been leaking goals in their last 2 games. So we’ll need to be patient- that said I fancy a 2-0 score line. HAWAY!!! Bart
Great thread as always @RTB. Can't see us making changes but you never know we might try something different. Gutted to be missing this as I'm away with work. Think we will score at least 2, Burstow to notch first half and Roberts to curl one in after a mazy dribble
Many thanks RTB I’m still away at work so miss this one but back for Boro,I think there’ll be a couple of changes for this one keep things fresh.I’m gona go 3-0 to the lads hopefully one of our strikers open there account COME ON
Cheers RTB as always, driving up for this, don’t normally get to midweek games as it’s a 5 hour round trip, but I’ve got the bug back and we’re a great team to watch, even after the Cardiff loss we still drive back feeling like we’d won as we played some lovely stuff and got mugged off. Haway haway haway
That is a very negative thread and did not really expect that thought there may be some optimism but they do not seem to like the owners very much
