Sunderland host Cambridge in the Skybet League One. Last time out Sunderland drew with Plymouth and Cambridge lost to Charlton. Sunderland played a goalless draw at Home Park on Easter Monday moving into 6th place, but a win for Sheffield Wednesday leaves the Black Cats in 7th place with 77 points with a game in hand on rivals Plymouth & Wycombe. Alex Neil has confirmed that Alex Pritchard is expected to be back available for selection, having trained all week and just missed out on Monday’s draw at Plymouth Argyle. Callum Doyle could be back in contention following illness, with Thorben Hoffmann also back training following a similar issue. Leon Dajaku remains out. Aiden McGeady trained for the first time with the group on Friday. Cambridge United made 7 changes to the side that beat Wigan at the weekend and lost 2-0 at home to Charlton on Tuesday night, conceding two deflected goals against the Addicks. Alex Neil: “I thought that for the first 15 minutes we started really brightly, we moved the ball really crisply and I thought yeah, we look at it today.” “The game sort of swung a little bit, and I thought that they looked a bit more dangerous up until half time. I had to sort of tweak it then to get us more of a foot hold in the game” “I thought that we controlled the second half without creating too many golden opportunities. It’s just that balance between having control of the game and having the ball and still creating opportunities.” “I thought that we had good energy, but the quality let us down, which is rare. In recent weeks our quality at the top of the pitch has been excellent.” “Today was one of those days where they were hard to break down and it became a cagey game” “All in all, it’s not a bad result for us” Mark Bonner: About Saturday’s win at the DW Stadium… “One of our best results of the season, the football was excellent and obviously it was a brilliant result. One because of the context, the fact that it was against a team chasing the title and promotion, but secondly, all things considered, with it being live on the telly at a different kick-off time for us than usual, the boys were brilliant. The first half we were exceptional and deserving of the lead at half-time, we might have been one better off before the break, but the second half was as we expected it to be, chasing the game became difficult, and it took a brilliant save from Dimi in the end to secure the win. If they had scored that goal, I think that we would have felt incredibly hard done by to leave with a point because the performance was excellent, and it took all that time until Dimi had to make a meaningful save. It’s another sign of the progress that we're making, and another result that we must be proud of given the list of away days and away results that we’ve had that have been really significant this season." Match Appointments: Referee: PETER WRIGHT Assistant Referees: Bradley Hall and Joe Simpson Fourth Official: Richard Wigglesworth Team Line ups Sunderland: (4-2-3-1) Patterson; Cirkin, Wright, Batth, Winchester; Evans, Matete; Embleton, Clarke, Pritchard; Stewart. Subs: Burge, Xhemajli, O’Nien, Neil, Gooch, Roberts, Broadhead Injured: Dajaku, Willis, Huggins, McGeady. Cambridge: (4-2-3-1) Mitov; Williams, Okedina, Jones, Iredale; May, Digby; Smith, Knibbs, Brophy; Ironside. Subs: Mannion, Bennett, Yearn, O'Neil, Worman, Hoolahan, Lankester. Injured: Sherring, Dunk Betting Odds: Sunderland 1/3 Cambridge 7/1 Draw 19/5 Characteristics: My two pence: A good result at Plymouth, we had our chances to win it early in the second half, but at least most of the other results went our way, so a point was not too bad. After the latest set of results we find ourselves outside of the play-off positions once more, with games rapidly running out, so anything other than a win is not worth thinking about. Cambridge showed against Wigan that they need to be taken seriously and they will be no walk over, but I think that Alex Neil will get us back on track. My tip would be extra shooting practice from outside the box this week. Another 7-0 thrashing would be great, but I’m going for a nervy 2-1 home win. Live Stream (Overseas fans only) https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Ha’way the Lads
Great thread as always mate. Biggest game of our season so far, win and we’re well on course for the play-offs.
Brilliant thread mate. Nice and early to keep me nervous all week. I think there may be 3 or 4 changes at weekend.
I just think back to the season when we had to play a poor Blackburn Rovers side at home, a win to go top of the league (78/79) - it all went horribly wrong
Another nerve shredder, despite being time we put a team to the sword. We endured a tough game down their place with Pritchard having a good old dingdong with Hoolihan. just got to win. Ideally stuff Rotherham on Tuesday.
Another brilliant match day thread @RTB. The side you posted looks solid on paper, but I think we will stick with the 3 at the back with Broadhead up top alongside Stewart. Really hoping Pritchard is fit as we have missed him buzzing around in the 10 role Not sure which way we go with the wide men though as none seem to really thrive in the 3 at the back set up. As always I will be praying for a fast start, early goals and keep pressing them back, but will settle for a nervous 1 nil win
Great thread mate, I think this is going to be a very hard game, the fact they rested 7 players midweek tells you that they are coming here to have a go at us, another cup final for a newly promoted team. we need a couple of early goals and good game management to win this one, and I am very optimistic we will, Haway the Lads.
Thanks RTB I agree with your back 4 and defensive midfield pairing. However I would have both Stewart and Broadhead playing. Stewart needs crosses from the byline, a ball stood up at the back post is his meat and drink. So he needs a winger to compliment him and provide him with a chance to score, these crosses have been lacking lately. Clarke or Gooch perhaps. Broadhead likes the ball to his feet (different from Stewart, which is good as we can pose a double threat)so one of Pritchard/Neil/Embo to slide a ball to him. Then of course the really annoying, in fact frigging foaming at the mouth, is that cos of Covid19 I cannot be there. I will have to find some illegal stream somewhere!
Cracking thread as always RTB. Would like to see your back 4, I think we will be more balanced with Winnchester and Cirkin a bit wider. Clarke for me shouldnt play and would want Broadhead in the team somewhere. Be good to see Pritchard back. Stewart is a conundrum at the minute but I think he just needs a goal IMO. I would like to see him limit dropping deeper and just play as high as possible and focus on making those clever runs between defenders he is good at, Pritchard, Embleton, Neil are all capable of playing that pass. Watch out for Digby for them as he is a decent player in centre mid. Know him from his short time at Mansfield town and like him. I know we were linked with him but not sure he is quite at the level we would want for a promotion push, but will make it competitive in that centre mid area. Also, he has played 50 odd games this season, old school footballer.
Would be happy with that line up. Am nervous for this game. Cambridge are playing without fear and if we allow Hoolahan time on the ball we will struggle. 1-1
