Sunderland face Saudi FC for the first time in the Premier League. Last time out Sunderland lost at Man City and the Saudis beat Burnley. Sunderland lost 3-0 at the Etihad with 2 first half goals, Ruben Dias unleashing a thunderous 30-yard strike, which took a deflection off Dan Ballard and swerved into the top corner, before doubling their advantage on 35 minutes when Josko Gvardiol leapt highest to power home an unstoppable header from Phil Foden's in swinging corner to give the hosts a comfortable half-time cushion. Luke O’Nein was sent off for a reckless challenge and will miss this game. Gvardiol, however, is happy with his yellow card, thanks to VAR and the corrupt Premier League. Saudi FC won 2-1 at home to Burnley, with the clarets being reduced to 10 men in the 43rd minute when Pires was sent off. Bruno Guimaraes scored directly from a corner and Anthony Gordon converted a penalty for a hand ball in the area. Flemming made the Saudis sweat after scoring a penalty following another VAR intervention, but the Saudis, not without a scare, saw the game out to move up to 10th place. Regis le Bris: “A tough game against a really strong team with many elite players, so it was probably difficult to repeat after Liverpool the same level of intensity. “I think we defended well in the first half, they found a solution with the long shot and a set piece to go 2-0 up, after that just at the beginning of the second half, we were still in the game, we spoke during half time that just one goal and the pattern might shift, but we missed this small window and it wasn’t enough. “We can play at a high level as a team and as players, you have to play those games to learn,” Presser on Friday at 13:30 ? Eddie Beheady: “We, the club, the players and our fans are happy to be funded by the Saudi nation and are happy to support their sports washing. Thanks for all of the money that you have spent while continuing to behead your own citizens and foreign nationals.” Allegedly https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/n...ions-foreign-nationals-drug-related-offences/ Between January 2014 and June 2025, Saudi Arabia executed 1,816 people, according to the official press agency. Nearly one in three were executed for drug-related offences, which are offences that may not be punished by death under international human rights law and standards. Out of the 597 people executed for drug-related offences during the ten-year period, foreign nationals made up nearly three-quarters (75%) of such executions. Form: Match Appointments: Referee: TBC Assistant Referee: Assistant Referee: Fourth Official: Video Assistant Referee: Additional Video Assistant Referee: Possible Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: Roefe, Reinildo, Ballard, Alderete, Mukiele, Hume, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Talbi, Isidor. Subs: Patterson, Geertruida, Cirkin, Neil, Rigg, Adingra, Mayenda, Mundle, Brobbey. Injured: Alese, Hjelde, Diarra. Suspended: O’Nien Saudi FC: Ramsdale, Thiaw, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Guimaráes, Tonali, Joelinton, Woltemade, Gordon, Elanga. Substitutes: Ruddy, Wissa, Muphy, Barnes, Murphy, Miley, Ramsey, Hall, Willock. Injured: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Krafth, Osula. Betting Odds: Sunderland 17/5 Saudis 21/10 Draw 33/10 My two pence: An early start for me to get up to the SoL in time for the 2pm kick-off. I’m glad that Xhaka and Sadiki are still able to play and hope that they are back to their best for this one. The Saudis face Bayer Leverkrusen on Wednesday and I fully expect Xhaka to have a word with his former team mates to take no prisoners. I’m going for a 2-1 win - lock up ya horses Live Stream: Sky Sports Main Event Ha’way the Lads
Not going to the game but will be coming into town to watch it and enjoy the pre match build up so no doubt will see some of you at the Museum
It was pretty obvious Diarra wouldnt make this game in time. I agree with you mate, i think we'll win 2-1.
Not risking travelling on the day for this one, on the train on Saturday and back on Monday so I can enjoy the build up and the party afterwards, can’t wait!
After the one point haul from the last two games which to be honest I’m very pleased with now the Nags. I would start with Brobbey. I think his physicality will be very important so we can stamp our presence on the game. Wilson can play out wide so would have him in from the start. It will be in my opinion a bit of a slugfest. Can’t see this game finishing with 11 on either side. Got to start straight out the block. Our fans have to make it very hostile for them. If I was RLB I would have a big poster picture of them taking selfies after the cup game. So f*ck them. Going for 2 - 0 to the lads. Big Biceps Dan and a screamer from Xhaka. Faint hearts win f*ck all HTL!!!!
3-1 to the lads. They score first, we equalise before half time, we wrap it up late and compound their misery on the counter in injury time. Le Fee scores a screamer from open play.
I’m expecting a classic (for the neutral) 2-2 draw with loads of cards, possibly even a couple of reds
Thanks for the thread again @RTB Can't wait for this one, branch Christmas meal before the game, so a nice 8 am start at the local. My lads first derby, hoping its a memorable one
Lets hope he stays injured now and misses the Afcon. I know thats abit of a shi@ty thing to say because on a personal level its massive for him, but we pay his wages and Sunderland is my priority in thinking
So Diarra won’t play for us before the AFCON squads are announced, does this put us in a position to refuse selection through injury
