Sunderland visit Coventry City in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland drew with Preston and Coventry lost at Derby. Romaine Mundle's late wonder strike rescued a point for an otherwise toothless Sunderland against Preston North End. Emil Riis' second-half goal looked to have condemned the Black Cats to a second home Championship defeat of the season. But Mundle's curled effort from the edge of the area four minutes from time saved their blushes on a difficult night. Goals from Matt Clarke and Marcus Harness saw Derby beat in-form Coventry at Pride Park. Clarke opened the scoring against the run of play after latching on to a Harness cross from the right after 23 minutes. Having set up the first, Harness then scored the second with a neat finish at the start of the second half, guiding the ball into the bottom corner. Regis le Bris: "I think we started OK. It was 4-4-2, a little bit different. We needed some adjustments to find the right dynamic. "It worked well, we created chances and should have scored before. We struggled a bit against their direct play, it is not easy to press. "Our block was open and they kept the ball close to our box and were able to create chances from nothing from direct play. "It was a good reaction, another point in the race. The league is long and we'll keep going." Press Conference: Frank Lampard: "We couldn't keep winning as much as we have done, as much as we would like to. "We played a team that was fighting, was quite direct and was focused on set-pieces. We got one wrong and gave them a goal, and something to hold on to having had major control of the game. "The players tried to win the game, but they were just lacking a bit of conviction at the top end of the pitch, and that can happen. "If that does happen, you don't want to be conceding those type of goals, which we had been pretty good at since I have come in." Form: Match Appointments Referee: DEAN WHITESTONE Assistant referees: Mark Dwyer & Sam Lewis Fourth official: Scott Oldham Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-2-3-1) Patterson, Cirkin, O’Nien, Mepham, Hume, Neil, Jobe, Rigg, Mundle, Roberts, Isidor. Subs: Moore, Johnson, Hjelde, Seelt, Browne, Jones, Aleksic, Mayenda, Watson. Injured: Huggins, Alese, Danns, Ballard, Le Fee, Poveda, Samed, Abdullahi, Ogunsuyi. Coventry City: (4-3-3) Dovin, van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell, Torp, Grimes, Eccles, Sakamoto, Simms, Eccles. Subs: Allen, Bassette, Binks, Collins, Dasilva, Latibeaudiere, Mason-Clarke, Paterson, Wilson. Injured: Rudoni Betting Odds: Sunderland 13/8 Coventry 8/5 Draw 9/4 Prutton Predicts: meh My two pence: A good point against Preston but we had enough chances to win the game. Coventry's 100% winning run came to an end at Derby of all places but they are still the in form team right now. Hopefully Ellis Simms has a stinker and scores an own goal. I’m going for a 2-1 away win. Live Stream: https://www.safc.com/live (for overseas fans) Ha’way the Lads
Tough game, wouldn’t be too disappointed with a draw Going down with a few of the lads. Anyone else travelling, make sure you have your wits about you - scum will be heading to Wembley and Coventry can be right horrible bastards
hopefully we are better than Tuesday really need to be and it about time we finally beat them but would take a draw can see us going back to 4-3-3
High scoring game that could go either way for me, whoever defends better will probably take the points, draw down there will be fine by me though, horrible place to go both on and off the pitch
There was quite a bit of trouble after their Stoke match … … exactly the same place as when it happened with us, aluminium railings being pushed over. We'll be ready for it this time though
Think this is a playoff semi final dress rehearsal. Good side Coventry but they are definitely beatable, create a lot of high quality chances but also concede a lot of high quality chances and variance caught up to them against Derby on Tuesday so hopefully the same thing happens again Saturday. Would revert back to the 433. Patterson Hume Mepham O'Nien Cirkin Rigg Neil Jobe Roberts Mayenda Mundle Coventry have some very good players. Wright, Grimes, Sheaf, Mason-Clarke, Sakamoto, Rudoni just to name a few. 2-2. Mayenda and Mepham. Safe travels to everyone going, watch out for the unwashed on the way down and be wary of the dickheads when you get to Coventry!
Agree with this,except I think Browne will be in for Rigg. If it is 2-2....any money Simms gets one for them! I hate Coventry with a passion....I'll be there,but the thought of even visiting their place makes me sick. A good performance will go a long way to mitigation!
We’ve played against loads of ex-Sunderland and ex-Mags this season, including Greenwood on Tuesday … … not one of them have scored iirc
Given their recent form, this appears to be a difficult game, but have they beaten any of the top 4 in this good run? Looking at their last six, you would expect them to be unbeaten. If we play as we can, we'll come away with something. If we play like we did against Hull and Preston, we'll likely come away with nothing. This should be an open game, which tends to suit us more. I wouldn't be displeased with a draw, but think we'll win 2-1. I would go with the team that @Sour Patch suggested. Mayenda up top for the first 60-70 minutes, then bring Isidor on with a point to prove.
Great thread again @RTB Im gonna stick my neck out and say we will win this 2-0 to the lads Hawaaaaaaaay
They're full backs push on so we can get in behind with Roberts and Mundle. Got to start scoring our chances,which has been a big default recently especially Tuesday. Expect an open game,with lots of chances so we'll win 1-0. Thanks RTB, HTL.
9 games left and the facts are clear... We need to gain 3 points on 2nd place....every 3 games... Simples !
RLB: Leo (Hjelde) may need some rest April, May will be like a sprint We have improved a lot this season The squad and team are in a good place, the management of the players is important For this last stage we have to build strong momentum in the last month We have had ups and downs and we have reacted well We will require a high level of responsibily We have 9 games and the facts are important in the end It will be a tough test again - we like these challenges Preston wasn't our best game, they were very direct, the whole dynamic was a little disturbed We reacted well after bad games because we learnt from the bad experiences We have to deal with reality - we are not in the play-offs yet The focus is on us - we can improve in many areas Everyone is involved with the process, the ambition is very high, we want to win the next game Some of the players were here 3 years ago and can share their experience (of the play-offs)
Tough game Coventry are the thorn in our sides. happily settle a point now and not play the game. 9 games left,ideally we need to win at least 7 of them with 2 draws in there,
Ideally my main hope for this game is Coventry will be under severe pressure to get a result to maintain their play off ambitions.....I don't "think" Sunderland are under the same pressure and can start to play some football with the knowledge they WILL be in the Play Offs.....welll thats what i'm hoping for.... realistically, i'm not sure. although we have had some decent results since the Hull game, our form hasn't been great, Not sure why, Don't think the coaching team know why, otherwise they would deal with it. ... early in the season I firmly believe teams feared us...don't think they do now. But I sincerely hope we can get back to some kind of form before the play offs, we desperately need some momentum BTW...great thread s usual RTB
Results haven't been a big concern but the actual performances haven't been great for a while! Hopefully when we get Mundle and Watson match fit, then ELF back might see a difference!
