Sunderland travel to Huddersfield in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland beat Plymouth and Huddersfield lost at Southampton. The Black Cats moved up to 6th place with the 3-1 win on Saturday, however Coventry won their game on Sunday and the wearsiders dropped to 7th. Michael Beale made 2 changes with Roberts and Rusyn starting ahead of Jobe and Burstow. With 3 games in a week, there could be a few changes with Rigg, Aouchiche and Mundle all pushing for a start. Alese, Cirkin, Dack, Huggins and Evans remain on the injured list. Huddersfield Town led 2-0 away at Southampton at half-time but lost out 5-3 after a dramatic turnaround from the Saints. A result that leaves Town in 21st place and 2 points above the drop zone. Darren Moore was sacked at the end of January and the Terriers are looking to sign their 3rd manager for the season. Ex Barnsley and Swansea manager, Michael Duff is the current favourite to take charge. Mick Beale: "We had some honest words at half-time and I thought from the moment the second half started, I thought we were much better. "All four goals were good but I'm delighted with our three - we're mixing around our goalscorers and that's the second home game we've scored three goals - that's a huge positive for us. "It's incredible how we can be in the first half and then how good we were in the second - but that's what it's like managing a young team at times. It's an important win when you look where it's taken us in the table." Jon Worthington (Care taker): "I hate losing football matches, and the players do as well, so we're disappointed from that perspective, but I told the lads that we'll take the positives. There was real intent from the first minute, I was proud of their efforts and they followed the game-plan to a T, but Southampton are a real quality side and came strong at the end. "The last thing I wanted to do was come here, sit in a low block and lose 2-0. We had to respect them for the run they're on but I believe in this group of players and what they can do. "The plan was, at the right times, to get after them, and we did, but a couple of their goals were worldies, like the (Joe Rothwell) volley, and sometimes you just have to hold your hands up. It was nothing to do with defensive moments. "At 2-2 we had the character to go again and in that moment we scored but had two or three chances as well where on another day you go on to get a couple of goals advantage." Match Appointments: Referee: GAVIN WARD Assistant Referees: Lee Venamore & David Harrison Fourth Official: Sam Allison Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-3-3) Patterson, Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Hjelde, Neil, Ekwah, Jobe, Clarke, Ba, Rusyn. Subs: Bishop, Pembele, Seelt, Mundle, Aouchiche, Burstow, Rigg, Roberts, Hemir Injured: Evans, Cirkin, Huggins, Dack, Alese, Embleton Huddersfield (3-4-3) Nicholls, Pearson, Lees, Nakayama, Kasumu, Matos, Hogg, Spencer, Rudoni, Koroma, Thomas. Subs: Radulovic, Diarra, Maxwell, Edwards, Wiles, Jones, Jackson, Iorpenda, Bellagambi. Injured: Ruffels, Helik, Burgzorg, Headley, Turton, Balker, Ward, Healey. Unavailable: Harrat (Suspended) Betting Odds: Sunderland 10/11 Huddersfield 3/1 Draw 5/2 Prutton Predicts: meh My two pence: A good result at home to Plymouth but we need to keep picking up points away from home as the race for the playoffs continues. Huddersfield started really well against Southampton with two quick goals but they faded in the second half. We lost the home fixture 2-1 after totally dominating the game with probably our best set of stats this season. I’m going for a 3-1 away win Live Stream: The game is on the Red button on Sky Sports Football but also available to home & overseas fans https://safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Press conference: Ha’way the Lads
These lot don't lose that many at home and DO seem to draw a lot. I'm going 2-2 Clarke and Jobe for us
They played well by all accounts at the weekend and not many will score 3 at st Mary’s, in the same breath they also conceded 5 though so if we play to our strengths we can get another good 3 points here
We play like we did second half and we will have to much for them. Maybe some changes to keep everyone fresh?
Wonder if Styles will make the squad? Be tempted to stick with the same side as Sat and let Jobe make an impact from the bench again
We owe them one from our earlier clash this season. Will MB tweak the starting eleven or go strongly second half off the bench to spread the load with three games in a week.? A repeat of the second half last Saturday should see us home with the points. Safe travels for those going, thanks RTB, HTL.
Their 3-4-3 lineup will be interesting, hopefully we can get at them from the off. Going for a 2-1 win to the lads. Hhhaaa'wwwwaaaaayyyyyyy the lads
Cheers RTB, glad to see the match day thread up Big game this one. Really need to back up Saturday with another 3 points. Other teams around us are building momentum too and Coventry in particular are starting to look strong. Robins really does an outstanding job there. Huddersfield suprised with their performance at the weekend, if not the result. It was the late late show for Southampton. I would be wary of them here and I am sure Beale is. He will have his plan. Our away form will need to improve if we are to make top 6 and these next 2 feel like must wins when I look at other away games we have. Then again, in this league you just dont know I suppose. Your team looks good to me. Wonder if we may see a slight change to two holding midfielders for the away games with Roberts keeping his spot to try and give us that ball carrying threat. I wonder how much Beale wants to play Rigg from the start. It must be tempting to see him in alongside Neil, with a bit of licence. Anyway, thanks again
Am I right in thinking Ballard and ONien are both a game away from a 2 match ban, and Hume 2 games away? I have lost track and looked at 2 stats sites and seen 2 answers!
He's back in light training after his surgery - I doubt if he'll be ready for this game or even the next one.
Going to be a bit of a battle this one, with two attacking teams going for the jugular. However, I think we will have too much for them, so I'm going for 2-3 to the lads.
Revert to the 4-3-3 we played against Stoke - push Jobe and Ewah wider to cover the wing backs and get Clarke and Roberts in behind
Thanks mate. Would hate to lose Ballard and Onien in the same period. Onien in particular missing 2 games would be a big issue.
Cracking thread again RTB thank you again. A big game in terms of keeping the momentum going. Should be an open game which I think will suit us. Looking forward to this one only a couple of hours drive. Fingers crossed for a big performance and 3 big points. Keep the faith lads and lasses.
Like popping round to the corner shop for you mate It just shows how much of a shift there's been in the mood when a win is expected. There's so much talent in the team that a 3-0 is more than possible ... ... but Huddersfield are capable of playing well and they're fighting against the drop. Should be a really entertaining game with both teams going for the win.
Hoping for another attacking performance from the lads, I feel we may have turned a corner and the goals have started to flow. It's ridiculous when you see the average age of the team I hope they are allowed to grow together without having to sell too many. Cheers for taking the time to do the match thread @RTB it's really appreciated
