Sunderland host Brentford in the Sky Bet Championship Last time out Sunderland drew with Bristol city and Brentford drew with Preston. What a comeback that was from Sunderland at Bristol City last week. The Black Cats will need to use that result to start getting some wins on the board to try and claw their way out of trouble. Brentford's play-off push has come to an abrupt halt in the last couple of weeks, and they'll be desperate for a win on Saturday to get themselves back into contention. Callum McManaman could return for Sunderland for the visit of Brentford after a month out with a groin injury. Paddy McNair and Jonny Williams are in contention after playing for the under-23 side and Lamine Kone is "75%" fit, according to boss Chris Coleman. Ejaria picked up an injury in training and is not available. Chris Coleman: “The odds are that there are going to be scary moments and it’s going to be edgy, as we’re up against a good footballing team who are having a good season." “It’s going to be tight and it’s going to be gritty, but how do we come through that and have we got it to overcome that challenge. It’s as simple as that and we’ll see." “The only way out of it for us is to concentrate on the next one whether we’ve played good, bad or indifferent, because we end up getting dragged into negativity." “You don’t want players like wheelbarrows that are only good, only useful when you push them, that’s no good and the first bump in the road they fall over anyway." “It has to come from yourself and you have to ask yourself a question, and if you can’t do that you’re dead in the water, but we can do it – why am I saying that – because we’ve shown glimpses of it. “It’s just repeating it and physcologically we have to overcome that.” Dean Smith: “They’ve obviously got a lot of character in the team. It’s common knowledge that their home form hasn’t been great this year, and we’re hoping to capitalise on that. Bristol City are a good team, so to go 3-0 down at Ashton Gate and come back to earn a draw shows that they’ve got plenty of quality. We have to be very wary of the threat that they pose.” “Whenever we play away from home our plan is to get on the ball and frustrate the opposition. Their fans might be expecting to see a win because of the size of the club, but we’re hoping that we can go there and show what we’re about. Chris’ (Coleman) appointment took a lot of people by surprise because he’d done so well with the Welsh national team, and he will believe that he can turns things around and get the club back to where their fan base believes they should be.” Form: Match facts: This is the first ever meeting between these teams at the Stadium of Light - the last meeting in Sunderland took place at Roker Park in December 1992, which Brentford won 3-1 in a league match. The Bees have kept just one clean sheet in their 18 matches against Sunderland in all competitions - a 4-0 win in October 1937. Brentford have had more shots this season than any other Championship team (542), while only Burton (258) have fired in fewer than Sunderland (318). The Bees are winless in their last three league games (D1 L2), this after winning five of the previous six (L1). Sunderland have made 11 errors leading to directly to goals this season - a league high. The Black Cats have won just two of their last 25 home league games (D9 L14), although both wins have arrived in the last five contests. Sports Analytics Machine: Away win (44%) Prutton predicts: 0-2 Match Appointments: Referee: JOHN BROOKS Assistants: David Avent and Mark Jones Fourth Official: Graham Salisbury Team Line ups Sunderland: Substitutes: Steele, Love, McManaman, Browning, LuaLua, Maja, Jones Injured Watmore (Cruciate – out for season), Ruiter (Dislocated finger 7-11 weeks), Gibson (Groin 7 weeks), Wilson (Knee 1 week), McNair (Hip/Groin), Kone (knee 75%), Ejaria (Calf) Brentford: Bentley; Dalsgaard, Egan, Bjelland, Clarke; McEachran; Jozefzoon, Sawyers, Yennaris, Watkins; Maupay Subs from: Daniels, Barbet, Mokotjo, Macleod, Judge, Emiliano Injured: Ogbene, Henry Suspended: Canos Betting Odds: H 23/10 A 21/20 D 5/2 My two pence: One step forward to get some momentum, back to back wins for the first time this season - that’s all that I’m asking for. We need a 90 minute performance rather than a 45 minute one, and I’m getting behind the team and staying positive. My guess is a 1-0 win. Ha’way the Lads
Not sure whether or not to go. My missus summed it up, not that eloquently, when advising what's the point of wasting our money, they are **** . Worringly, the few times I've been this season, she's spot on. A quandary to mull over, over the next day or so.
I've got no idea whatsoever about what will happen, cos we're impossible to predict. Some of the signs point to progression, and I'd like to say that we might win, but we could equally likely get stuffed 0-7. Who The **** Knows ?
I predict the usual will happen. After what should be a confidence boosting comeback, where a typical teams tails will be well and truly up, well this is Sunderland, a bright start before falling fall flat on our faces, 2-0 down at half time, crowd on the teams back and a player sent off.
Owt could happen and we will probably lose again, so I'm very tempted to have a sizeable bet on Brentford. However, I think that it's a must win game and if CC goes for it with a 442 I think we will win. My prediction if this is the case is 3-1. But if it's 3 at the back I fear the worst. Bart
Brentford players will receive the standard away dressing room pre match instruction to keep it tight for the first half hour until the crowd become impatient / aggressive, then start to push forward. For this reason I want to see us flying out of the traps straight away, and really take the game to them I'm going to be positive - home win
I've gone for a 1-0 home win. Not sure why......but were overdue another win so why not tomorrow. Here's hoping and fingers are crossed.
Only by being positive can we win and get those much needed points on the board. An all out attacking mentality is required from now on - we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Ejaria out and Konè and McNair not ready but Matthews back. If he goes 3 centre backs he's asking for trouble and criticism -----------------------Camp----------------------- Matthews--Oshea--ClarkeSalter--Oviedo ------Williams-Cattermole-Honeyman---- Asoro---------Fletcher----------McGeady Steele Browning Jones Love Robson LuaLua Maja
Good thread once again but I'm still so shell shocked all I can say is I wish we had their strip and we are buzzing for them bees
Must win this one like, have to get stuck into them from the start,bring the bacon home lad's. two - zip.
Huge game. Win and it's one point from safety, unbeaten in 3 and plenty of games to go to coast home. Lose and it 4 (or more) points from safety and an unfriendly fixture list coming up, at the end of which the 21st spot may be looking a bit distant. Honestly feel real good about today and Newcastle aren't playing so i'll be listening and cheering on - lets see if that helps/hinders, it doesn't usually do my own team any good though! Come on!
