Sunderland welcome Watford to the Stadium of Light in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland beat Middlesbrough and Watford lost against Norwich. Sunderland completed a league double over Middlesbrough for the first time in 63 years as they won a thrilling Tees-Wear derby. (I know) In a match that went one way and then the other, Boro went ahead early through Delano Burgzorg before captain Dan Neil's deflected strike brought the visitors level by half-time. Wilson Isidor's 10th Sunderland goal put them ahead within six minutes of the second half, but Hayden Hackney's piledriver brought Michael Carrick's side level just before the hour mark. Both sides had chances as they pushed for a third goal but the Black Cats got the winner when Ryan Giles turned Enzo le Fee's cross past his own goalkeeper. Adil Aouchiche has joined Portsmouth on loan and Abdullah Ba has joined USL Dunkerque on loan. New signing from Liverpool, Jayden Danns is unavailable for the next few weeks. Huggins, Mundle, Browne, Watson & Alese remain on the injured list. Josh Sargent once again proved his value to Norwich City as his third goal in two games secured back-to-back victories and consigned 10-man Watford to a fourth consecutive Championship home defeat. Sargent made amends four minutes before the interval, tapping the ball in from close range as the visitors finally scored with their 14th attempt of a dominant first half. The goal compounded a miserable few minutes for the Hornets - and in particular top scorer Vakoun Bayo, who missed a glorious headed opportunity before seeing red for stupidly shoving over Emi Marcondes. Regis le Bris: "Middlesbrough started very well, playing really good football. We conceded many situations so we were a little bit lucky not to concede a second goal. "We stayed in the game, but it tested our patience as maybe we were a bit sloppy in possession. "At half-time, we spoke about character, about playing with more passion. It was an intense game against a strong team and we had to play with 101%, not 80 or 85 or 90. And second half, we did that and we played a bit more vertical. "This is a young team with talented players. It has a big margin, it is a question of how quick we can grow." Press conference: Tom Cleverley: "Unfortunately the referee has been played. I thought Norwich were good at the dark arts. Every time someone made contact with their players they fell to the ground. "I can't justify Bayo's reaction. He knows he's let his team-mates down. He's pushed Marcondes in his chest - and it's a disappointing reaction from him. "If you counted the amount of times Marcondes fell to the floor you'd have a decent tally. "I'm proud of my players. We've reduced them to very little. The work-rate and togetherness and spirit was excellent." Form: Match Appointments Referee: ROBERT JONES Assistant referees: Ian Hussin & Neil Davies Fourth official: Lexis Smith Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-3-3) Patterson, Cirkin, O’Nien, Mepham, Hume, Neil, Jobe, Le Fée, Rigg, Roberts, Isidor Subs: Moore, Hjelde, Ballard, Samed, Aleksic, Jones, Poveda, Mayenda, Ogunsuyi. Injured: Huggins, Browne, Mundle, Watson, Alese. Watford: (4-2-3-1) Bond, Larouci, Pollock, Abankwah, Andrews, Dale-Bashiru, Lousa, Chakvetadze, Kayembe, Sissoko, Adu-Poku Subs: Doumbia, Ince, Keben, Morris, Nkabia, Selvick, Sierralta Injured: Baah, Dwomah, Bachmann Suspended: Bayo Betting Odds: Sunderland 3/2 Watford 11/2 Draw 13/3 Prutton Predicts: meh My two pence: A great result at Boro, it’s about time we had a bit of good luck. Watford are on a poor run and we need to get revenge for the defeat at their place. Without Bayo up front it should be an easy win. I’m going for a 2-0 home win. Live Stream: Live on Sky Sports Football https://www.safc.com/live Ha’way the Lads
“This is a young team with talented players. It has a big margin, it is a question of how quick we can grow." And there it is again, a plea from RLB for patience, thankfully most people are listening. Watford will be desperate for the points after slipping out of the top six … … but they’ve won more games than West Brom in 6th place, It’ll be a very difficult game but we need to win it. Chakvetadze Is clever and unpredictable so we really need to restrict his shooting opportunities. Cleverley was fuming about Norwich’s cheating and ‘dark arts’ which we’ve witnessed ourselves. Let’s hope it’s not the pot calling the kettle black. We’re hitting form but not always concentrating for 90 minutes so that's what I’d like to see … … Ha’way the Lads, players are improving at the right time, 3-0 and don’t care who scores, love them all. It would be great to see Ogunsuyi get onto the pitch, he's worked hard and deserves it.
We have an incredible set up at the moment. So proud to support this young team, management and ownership. The thought in my mind after seeing the tremendous win at Boro is it fate and destiny after the own goal for the winner? Thought back to the Leeds game where we got the point with their goalkeepers mistake. Something in the stars right? I definitely hope so. That Enzo looks a class apart and Wilson.....even at the age of 68 I would have his babies. Lets focus on Watford for the three points....going 4 - 1 to the lads....Wilson all four....HTL!!!!
For me we need to approach every game with certain amounts of caution but in general more optimism. I believe we will win this but the euphoria of the win against the smoggies has raised expectations and I am trying my best to stay firmly with my feet on the ground. so I am going for a 8-0 to the lads with a Wilson hat trick and 2 for Jobe, 1 for Roberts and 1 foe Mepham direct from a corner the last goal will be for Enzo as he deserves it.
For once can't agree with RTB about an easy win they're never easy in this league, these are a wounded animal which can be dangerous. They've got some good players but are struggling in the striker dept. Think we'll win with a little to spare, don't forget they have had 2 days extra rest and the lads really put a shift in on Monday. I'm over for this one, my last time was Oxford so a repeat of that would be very nice thank you. Thanks RTB. HTL.
Can't wait for the game, despite hating these early kick offs. Will take a 1-0 nil with a goal of a defenders backside, it's all about the 3 points, but I lm hoping we start at a good pace and put them to the sword
Completely bollockses things up for me, my girls both have clubs to go to on a saturday so there's no way I'll make kick off. I'll be lucky if I make it by half time
Excellent preview RTB. I hadn't even realised it was a 12.30 kick off. I'm on nightshift at the weekend, so will miss the game, but hopefully the lads take the 3 points and keep in touch with the top 2. Ha'way the Lads.
Must win for me. The next two games are utterly utterly must win. Good job we are winning both of them.
big chance to put pressure on SU as they are KO at 3pm, and more on Burnley who dont play again until the midweek games. surely with the next 2 games, an early goal and both Watford and Luton will crumble we are due a 4/5+ win
