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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
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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:
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Match Appointments:
Referee: PETER BANKES
Assistant Referee: Eddie Smart
Assistant Referee: Blake Antrobus
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Atwell
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Possible Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: Roefe, Reinildo, Ballard, Alderete, Mukiele, Hume, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Talbi, Isidor.
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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.
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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
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