Tag:

Lads

Match Preview: Sunderland v Burnley — The Lads Are Favourites In Entrance Of The Cameras!

by Soccer-News February 2, 2026

Monday 2nd February 2026Sunderland v Burnley – Premier LeagueStadium of Gentle Kick-Off: 20:00Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are bought out.

TV/Stream: Full stay match protection is out there on Sky Sports activities.

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Radio: Full stay match commentary out there by way of BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

It’s one of many many quirks of the switch window that it closes an hour earlier than this fixture. I assume we simply drew the brief straw, but when I put my tin foil hat on for a second, might that be why it’s Sunderland v Burnley on this Monday Evening Soccer?!

I assume we’ll by no means know, however I reckon Pep and Arteta might need a number of issues to say if it had been Citeh or Arsenal on the field tonight, which can have distracted them from a final £100m they wanted to burn by way of.

Anyhoo, Burnley are the guests tonight, and Sunderland look to make it the third time this season that we’ve received successive residence video games (West Ham & Brentford in August and Bournemouth & the guests if you happen to had been questioning). However since we haven’t received on the street since October twenty sixth in opposition to Chelsea, which suggests it’s seven with out a win away from residence, it’s apparent that our bread and butter is on the Stadium of Gentle.

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Sure, we stay unbeaten, however solely 4 sides have taken extra factors on their very own patch this season within the Premier League, and solely Metropolis and Arsenal have conceded fewer targets in their very own yard.

A part of that is additionally how we’re reacting to defeats. Our loss at West Ham was our sixth of the season, and each single one of many earlier 5 defeats has all been adopted up by residence wins – hopefully we’ll make it a sixth time this has occurred with a win tonight.

Taking a look at Burnley, it’s a case of whipping out the Britney traditional “oops, I did it once more” as they’re simply ten factors from security.

If, nicely, when relegation is confirmed, it is going to be the fifth season in a row that they’ve both been relegated from the Premier League or promoted again into it. Not less than they’re constant. On this event, they will level to themselves and not less than have the ability to level to the possession at Turf Moor, that they’re getting one thing improper, as a result of it may be accomplished.

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Questions had been requested of Scott Parker final season, though he claimed 100 factors and conceded simply sixteen targets all season, nevertheless it doesn’t appear that Burnley are backing him as they did with Vincent Kompany. The model of play appears to be the principle cause why, and there’s a seemingly large debate among the many followers there whether or not they need to get ridof him or if he’s the most effective man for the job for subsequent season.

Anyway, the massive image is that they’ve all however given up on the terraces, though it must be stated they’ve recorded some good attracts currently in opposition to the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Spurs. However the signing of James Ward-Prowse till the tip of the season tells us rather a lot, as a result of the facet 5 factors above them within the desk, preventing in opposition to the drop, has helped them out.

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at 3/4 to win the sport, whereas Burnley are priced at 19/5, and the draw is 12/5.

Face to face… at Sunderland

(All competitions)

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Final time we met… on the Stadium of LightSaturday twenty fourth August 2024Championship

Stadium of Gentle

Sunderland 1-0 Burnley

[Mundle 26’ (Dan Neil sent-off 85’)]

Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, O’Nien, Alese, Cirkin, Roberts (Ballard), Neil, Bellingham, Mundle (Triantis), Rigg (Browne), Mayenda (Rusyn) Substitutes not used: Moore, Hjelde, Ekwah, Poveda, Watson

Burnley: Trafford, Roberts, Pires, Massengo (Amdouni), Egan-Riley, Esteve, Vitinho (Sambo), Brownhill, Foster, Rodriguez, Hountondji (McNally) Substitutes not used: Hladky, Inexperienced, Humphreys, McDermott, Hugill, Masara

Attendance: 40,096

Sunderland AFC v Burnley FC - Sky Bet Championship

Sunderland AFC v Burnley FC – Sky Guess Championship

Prediction…Sunderland 1-0 Burnley

They drawn in opposition to some good sides currently, so this one goes to be a take a look at for the lads to interrupt them down.

February 2, 2026 0 comments

Premier League

Match Preview: Sunderland v Crystal Palace — The Lads Return To Premier League Motion!

by Soccer-News January 17, 2026

written by Soccer-News

Saturday seventeenth January 2026Sunderland v Crystal Palace – Premier LeagueStadium of Gentle Kick-Off: 15:00Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are offered out.

TV/Stream: Full dwell match protection is just not accessible within the UK.

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Radio: Full dwell match commentary accessible by way of BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

It felt like final week was simply what we wanted in some methods. Like if you simply want a day off work and you’re feeling all the higher for it – in that sense it feels good to get again to the bread and butter of the Premier League.

Crystal Palace are the guests to the Stadium of Gentle in a fixture we haven’t seen on Wearside for nearly 9 and a half years. On that event, David Moyes and Alan Pardew have been within the dugouts and after taking a 2-0 lead on the hour by way of a Jermain Defoe brace, we misplaced 3-2. The truth is, we haven’t come out on prime of their previous 5 visits and we’ve got to return to 2003 to seek out our final dwelling victory towards them within the league.

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However again to the trendy day and each golf equipment go into the sport trying to get again to successful methods with Palace in search of their first in six video games and the Lads have one victory on the board within the final six – towards the guests.

Regardless of the actual fact Palace are solely three locations and two factors beneath Sunderland within the desk, there’s a special really feel in regards to the golf equipment in the meanwhile that was evident on the eve of the sport.

The highest two soccer tales broke when Marc Guéhi agreed a £20m deal to affix Man Metropolis and was withdrawn from the squad for the weekend, after which Oliver Glasner introduced he was leaving on the finish of the season. It might have been the worst-kept secret in soccer, however the announcement of a supervisor leaving months upfront hardly ever has a constructive impact.

Sunderland alternatively are nearly at full energy, apart from Traoré (and to a lesser extent Masuaku), which suggests Le Bris has some powerful choices, particularly on the again the place we’re spoilt for selection. Will this result in 4 or 5 on the again?

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Immediately is a run of three video games, with West Ham away and Burnley at dwelling to observe the place we are able to probably be near that magical 40-point mark by the point we go to Arsenal on February seventh.

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at 23/10 to win the sport, whereas Everton are priced at 23/20, and the draw is 2/1.

Face to face… at Sunderland

(All competitions)

Final time we met… on the Stadium of LightSaturday twenty fourth September 2016Premier League

Stadium of Gentle

Sunderland 2-3 Crystal Palace

[Defoe 39’, 60’ – Ledley 61’, McArthur 76’, Benteke 90’]

Sunderland: Pickford, Manquillo, Kone, Djilobodji, Kirchoff, van Aanholt, Cattermole (McNair), Ndong, Pienaar (Watmore), Januzaj (Anichebe) Substitutes not used: Mika, Denayer, O’Shea, Khazri

Crystal Palace: Mandanda, Ward, Kelly (Fryers), Ledley, Tomkins, Delaney, Puncheon (Lee), McArthur, Benteke, Cabaye (Wickham), Townsend Substitutes not used: Hennessey, Wynter, Mutch, Sako

Attendance: 38,941

Prediction…Sunderland 2-0 Crystal Palace

In case you listened to the preview this morning, you should have heard a full home for a 2-0 win, and who am I to argue?

January 17, 2026 0 comments

Premier League

Social Media Meltdown Over – Preserve the Religion in Le Bris’ Lads

by Soccer-News January 11, 2026

written by Soccer-News

Within the first half at Tottenham and after Brentford, the worst of our fanbase determined to soil themselves publicly on social media. With none regard to the context by which these matches have been performed, we have been handled to a complete meltdown from a gaggle of what I can solely describe as “wetwipes”. There have been a collection of takes that would solely be correctly categorised as Magazine-like.

So, to the context.

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We have now a reasonably spectacular squad for a newly promoted facet however any workforce would battle when Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Bertrand Traoré, Chemsdine Talbi, and Arthur Masuaku are chosen for AFCON. Fortunately it’s a state of affairs that we don’t have to fret about once more till 2027, and it was a danger that we knew we have been taking once they signed – arguably a few of them could have gone elsewhere if different golf equipment had been keen to take the identical danger.

We went into this era with a difficult fixture away at Brighton simply earlier than Christmas, and eked out a 0-0 draw on the South Coast. There was a short cameo from Diarra earlier than he joined up with the remainder of the AFCON contingent. What ought to have been a Boxing Day fixture in some other yr introduced Leeds United to the Stadium of Gentle on twenty eighth December, with the Yorkshire facet starting to get into their stride. Dan Ballard was a further absentee by way of damage as Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelled up Simon Adingra’s opener.

Three days later, 10 of the 11 who began towards Leeds lined up towards Erling Haaland and Manchester Metropolis. These gamers completely emptied the tank because the Lads blunted Pep Guardiola’s gifted facet.

Simply 63 hours later, the identical beginning XI took to the sector towards Spurs. It ought to have come as no shock that they began slowly. After which the social media meltdown began. The identical gamers who had carried the workforce by way of the beginning of the AFCON interval to seventh within the Premier League have been instantly subjected to a tirade of abuse.

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You’ll be able to argue that Régis Le Bris bought the preliminary set-up incorrect. And??????

He actually didn’t have a lot in the best way of choices obtainable to him.

It occurs often. If it didn’t, he wouldn’t be managing Sunderland; he’d be in cost at PSG.

However, as he has achieved so many occasions, Le Bris modified ways and personnel, and Brian Brobbey hammered residence Enzo Le Fée’s fantastically positioned cross. Lots of people in a short time forgot that.

But the social media meltdown continued – “I had large hopes for this season however we’re in peril of throwing the entire fucking lot within the bin” was one of many much less rational takes a few newly promoted facet nonetheless sitting within the high half of the Premier League. I do know what my large hopes have been, after two seasons when all three promoted sides have been instantly relegated again to the Championship. My request for clarification as to what these different “large hopes” have been went unanswered.

And so it went on – “the worst bench within the Premier League” was one spectacularly dumb submit. Six gamers at AFCON, Wilson Isidor injured, and a supposed fan is shocked we’ve needed to draft some Beneath-21s in to make up the bench?

I received’t even start to dissect absolutely the barrage of idiocy on show throughout and after the Brentford sport. There was all the time prone to be one sport throughout AFCON the place every part caught up with us, and it occurred on the Gtech. Even then, Brobbey’s brutal persistence purchased us an opportunity – one which Enzo couldn’t convert. Suffice to say, if you need a participant who misses a penalty towards a keeper with the most effective ratio of spot-kick saves this season to be “dropped”, “fined”, “transfer-listed”, “by no means play once more”, or worse, then it’s most likely time to cease pretending to be a supporter and spend the remainder of your life taking part in Soccer Supervisor.

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There’s a critical level right here. For those who don’t assume that a few of that filters by way of to the gamers and impacts them, you want your head inspecting. Simply bear in mind each time the likes of Granit Xhaka or Trai Hume discuss how the gang lifts them, or how they perceive how a lot the membership means to this metropolis, then take into consideration the little French lad who has completely run his socks off in the previous couple of video games solely to be instructed he’s not match to put on the shirt as a result of he missed a penalty.

There are a bunch of “supporters” who would do very effectively to undergo a number of the absolute abuse and hateful dross they’ve posted and delete it. You’re not some deeply clever soccer genius; the closest you’ll get to skilled soccer is attempting to get a selfie with Luke O’Nien if you happen to stumble upon him in Tesco.

Lastly, a particular point out for whoever it was that began posting AI pictures of Granit Xhaka in a Gladiator outfit in the course of the Christmas interval. And that particular point out is “Simply cease”.

It’s correct Magazine behaviour, like that AI slop of the late Sir Bobby Robson wanting down out of the clouds upon Eddie Howe and Joelinton.

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After all of the crap we now have been by way of for the final eight years, I’m happy with this workforce and I do know they are going to be taking part in Premier League soccer subsequent season – which is all any smart supporter may realistically have hoped for in August. With the AFCON boys slowly returning, Le Bris can begin rotating the gamers who’ve carried us by way of this troublesome interval, and a few folks can return to abusing whoever it was they have been having a dig at on social media earlier than the Christmas fixtures.

January 11, 2026 0 comments

Premier League

Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland — The Lads Head to The Capital!

by Soccer-News January 4, 2026

written by Soccer-News

Sunday 4th January 2026Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland – Premier LeagueStadium of Mild Kick-Off: 15:00Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are offered out.

TV/Stream: Full reside match protection is out there through Sky Sports activities.

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Radio: Full reside match commentary obtainable through BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

It’s our first journey to Spurs’ fancy new stadium right now, so it’s been a visit that many people fancied when the fixtures have been launched – and it’s a very good one to kick off away days in 2026, though I did just like the obscured view we used to have at White Hart Lane.

It’s not only a first rate journey due to the primary go to to their new toy, but it surely doesn’t look too dangerous on paper. We’re at present taking a look at some extent per recreation on the street – 9 factors from 9 video games in case you have been questioning in regards to the maths – however I obtained a shock after I checked out Spurs’ residence type.

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On the time of writing, solely Burnley, West Ham United, and Wolves have taken fewer factors on their very own patch, with simply two wins on the board of their 9 video games thus far. The primary of these wins got here on the opening day in opposition to Burnley, and the second was a current 2-0 victory over Brentford firstly of December.

Any supervisor of Spurs with runs like this has to get barely nervous – even with out the presence of Daniel Levy – however with Thomas Frank, it undoubtedly seems like they are going to give him the time he wants.

However our report in opposition to Spurs is crap. We haven’t overwhelmed them residence or away in any competitors within the earlier 13 video games, which takes us again to the Darren Bent recreation in 201,0 the place he scored two and missed a penalty in a 3-1 win. At their place, we return to August 2008 when Roy Keane’s Sunderland beat Juande Ramos’ facet 2-1 with targets from Kieran Richardson and Djibril Cisse, who scored on his debut that day.

It’s been the very best a part of twenty years since we beat them down there, so hopefully we’re due one.

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at 18/5 to win the sport, whereas Spurs are priced at 4/5, and the draw is 9/4.

Face to face… at Spurs

(All competitions)

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Final time we met… at SpursSunday 18th September 2016Premier League

White Hart Lane

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Sunderland

[Kane 59’ – (Januzaj sent off 90’)]

Sunderland: Pickford, Denayer (McNair), Kirchoff (Khazri), Kone, Djilobodji, Manquillo, Cattermole, Ndong, Pienaar (Watmore), Januzaj, Defoe Substitutes not used: Mika, Love, O’Shea, Gooch

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Wanyama, Alderweireld, Dier (Davies), Sissoko, Dembele (Lamela), Kane (Janssen), Alli, Son Substitutes not used: Vorm, Trippier, Winks, Eriksen

Attendance: 41,107

Prediction…Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Sunderland

I reckon we’ll frustrate them right now and take some extent.

January 4, 2026 0 comments

Premier League

Match Preview: Sunderland v Leeds United — Will The Lads Ship A Late Christmas Reward?

by Soccer-News December 28, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Saturday twenty eighth December 2025Sunderland v Leeds United – Premier LeagueStadium of Gentle Kick-Off: 14:00Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are bought out.

TV/Stream: Full reside match protection is out there through Sky Sports activities.

Commercial

Radio: Full reside match commentary accessible through BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

Instances change, however my favorite fixture was at all times the Boxing Day sport — residence or away — and TV has dictated that this 12 months we play on the twenty eighth. Oh properly, simply one other potential merchandise we are able to record for a future Room 101 episode on Haway The Podcast.

It’s an indication of how this season goes that we might have a look at it when it comes to successful one sport within the final 4, or two within the final eight, however due to the performances, it feels so significantly better.

To be honest, the win over the guests comes into that, however this run additionally consists of that second in opposition to Arsenal, coming from behind to beat Bournemouth, nearly beating Liverpool, Metropolis requiring a deflection to interrupt via, and a great away exhibiting at Brighton.

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Yet one more signal of how we’re going this season might be seen in at this time’s fixture. When the ultimate whistle went in our closing sport of the season – that resulted in a 1-0 defeat at residence to QPR – Leeds had completed a mere 24 factors forward of us. Okay, we misplaced the final 5 making ready for the play-offs, however stick three wins in there, and it’s nonetheless a 15-point hole.

Additionally they had a head begin within the switch market. Not solely did they know they had been promoted for some time, however they’d the time once we had been navigating the play-offs, however as we strategy the midway level of the season, our guests at this time sit 5 factors and two locations above the drop, whereas we’re two factors off a Champions League place.

The entire world is anticipating us to crumble throughout AFCON, and Brighton was the primary signal that groups will know on the very least that they’ve been in a sport.

All that discuss of the truth that this must be a Boxing Day fixture above jogs my memory of when it was simply that – 23 years in the past. Two former England managers (when you embody caretakers) had been in control of each golf equipment, as Terry Venables introduced his facet north to tackle Howard Wilkinson’s Sunderland.

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Our present first-team coach, Michael Proctor, opened the scoring within the first half, however a younger lad by the identify of James Milner equalised simply earlier than the hour to grow to be the youngest goalscorer in Premier League historical past – a file that stood till 2005 when future Sunderland striker James Vaughan scored for Everton. By the way, Robbie Fowler scored the winner that day through a penalty.

However after sixteen years out of the highest flight, it was about time that Leeds returned in 2020. However after three years in that first stint, they returned to the second tier, and two years later, they’re again and determined to re-establish themselves, simply as they had been round 1 / 4 of a century in the past.

A lot so, there was hypothesis that Daniel Farke, the person who received them again, wasn’t the fitting man to take the job of retaining them there. After he survived the hearsay mill, he received off to a good begin with two wins within the first 5, however issues went a bit downhill after that.

One win and 6 defeats adopted within the subsequent eight, which noticed them drop into the underside three, however two wins and two attracts since then have meant they’ve sufficient daylight between themselves and the drop that offers them an opportunity to calm down over the festive interval – properly, a bit anyway.

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Three of these video games got here at Elland Street, which highlights their away type, or lack of it, to date this season. Solely 4 of their nineteen factors amassed to date this time period have come away from Elland Street, and people got here through a win at Wolves and a draw at Brentford. Put this up in opposition to our unbeaten residence file, and we must be favourites this afternoon.

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at 6/4 to win the sport, whereas Leeds are priced at 9/5, and the draw is 11/5.

Face to face… in Sunderland

(All competitions)

Final time we met… on the Stadium of LightFriday 4th October 2024ChampionshipSunderland 2-2 Leeds United

[Rigg 9’, Firpo (OG) 90’ – Piroe 22’, Firpo 56’]

Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin, Neil, Bellingham, Roberts (Watson), Rigg (Browne), Mundle, Isidor Substitutes not used: Moore, Hjelde, Johnson, Aleksic, Ba, Connolly, Rusyn

Leeds United: Meslier, Bogle, Firpo, Tanaka, Rodon, Struijk, Gnonto (Byram), Rothwell, Piroe (Joseph), Aaronson, Ramazani (Schmidt) Substitutes not used: Darlow, Debayo, Chambers, Gelhardt, Bamford

Attendance: 41,769

Prediction…Sunderland 2-0 Leeds United

It’s going to be a harder afternoon than some would possibly anticipate, however I reckon it may very well be the third time this season that we beat somebody by greater than a single purpose.

December 28, 2025 0 comments

Premier League

Match Preview: Manchester Metropolis v Sunderland — Can The Lads Go One Higher At The Etihad?!

by Soccer-News December 6, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Saturday sixth December 2025Manchester Metropolis v Sunderland – Premier LeagueEtihad Stadium Kick-Off: 15:00Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are offered out.

TV/Stream: Full stay match protection is unavailable within the UK.

Commercial

Radio: Full stay match commentary obtainable through BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

Sunderland AFC has been a complicated place for a very long time, however this week we left Anfield scratching our heads in a confused state as we tried to determine if we had been happy with the draw or not.

The sense of delight we took away from Merseyside was palpable, and a frustration that we didn’t take all three factors was possibly felt extra for the gamers than ourselves, as we wish this present crop of gamers to get all the pieces they deserve from video games primarily based on the sheer quantity of effort they put into it.

Even once we had been crap and languishing in League One, we’d all the time have a way of delight supporting Sunderland, however that is completely different, we’re pleased with each single a kind of gamers as a result of they present to anybody who needs to look, that they need success at this membership simply as a lot because the followers – and it’s not usually we are able to say that.

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Anyway, as quickly because the fixtures had been launched, we had our eyes on this set of three fixtures, and after the primary went in addition to we might have hoped, we now head to the Etihad to tackle Pep’s Metropolis within the second act within the trilogy, and we’re questioning what Regis Le Bris has up his sleeve subsequent.

Simply once we thought we had it nailed down in that he must go 5 on the again at Anfield, he places out a 4-4-2 with Trai Hume broad on the fitting, and we glance threatening going ahead. If the supervisor retains us followers guessing that watch the Lads each week, think about how opposition managers are second-guessing what we’re going to do subsequent – and it’s now right down to Pep to work it out at this time.

One factor hanging over the crew choice, nevertheless, is the actual fact Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki stay one yellow card away from a one-game ban, which at this time would imply they miss the derby. It will be a shock if it got here into the supervisor’s pondering, however the gamers are solely human, and they’re going to know what’s across the nook.

Final time we went to the Etihad was the start of the David Moyes season, and possibly days earlier than he utterly gave up any hope of holding us within the Premier League, however though issues have modified dramatically for ourselves, Metropolis and Pep proceed to problem for something going.

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As true as that is, they did have a relative shocker final season. After profitable six league titles in seven, Metropolis had a correct wobble and misplaced foolish quantities of video games in a brief interval and ended up ending third. We will solely think about how terrible that will need to have been for Metropolis followers – our ideas exit to you.

They’d a summer season the place they may reset on the pitch, whereas off the pitch, there was an expectation that somebody would possibly make a name relating to the 115 fees that allege breaches of monetary laws – a call that was mentioned to be “imminent” as current as every week in the past.

However on the pitch it didn’t look nice after 5 video games as that they had gained simply two, which raises the alarm at a membership as profitable as Manchester Metropolis. Seven wins out of 9 that adopted nevertheless silenced any of the panic and now means they’re in a chief place, simply 5 factors behind Arsenal as we enter the busy festive interval.

The take-home level is that Metropolis don’t have that aura that that they had 12-18 months in the past. The final two video games in opposition to Leeds and Fulham confirmed that sooner or later, the opposition realised they may get at Metropolis and in the long run Pep’s facet simply merely scored extra. This provides us that glimmer of hope that if we are able to maintain them out for lengthy sufficient, we’d simply have that one probability to take benefit.

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at 10/1 to win the sport, whereas Man Metropolis are priced at 1/5, and the draw is 5/1.

Face to face… in Manchester

(All competitions)

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Manchester Metropolis objectives: 152

Final time we met… on the Etihad StadiumSaturday thirteenth August 2016Premier LeagueManchester Metropolis 2-1 Sunderland

[Aguero (pen) 4’, McNair (OG) 87’ – Defoe 71’]

Sunderland: Mannone, Love, O’Shea, Kone, Kaboul, van Aanholt, Rodwell, Gooch (Khazri), Watmore (Januzaj), Borini, Defoe (McNair) Substitutes not used: Pickford, Djilobodji, Lens, Asoro

Manchester Metropolis: Boruc, A. Smith, Daniels, L. Cook dinner, Francis, S. Cook dinner, Pugh (Mousset), Arter, Afobe (Stanislas), Fraser (Gradel), King Substitutes not used: Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Fernando

Attendance: 54,362

Prediction…Manchester Metropolis 2-0 Sunderland

I need to consider, however it could possibly be a step too far. My coronary heart says a goalless draw, however my head says we’ll play effectively however not fairly have sufficient.

December 6, 2025 0 comments

Premier League

Match Preview: Sunderland v Arsenal — Can The Lads Stay Unbeaten At Residence?!

by Soccer-News November 8, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Saturday eighth November 2025Sunderland v Arsenal – Premier LeagueStadium of Gentle Kick-Off: 17:30Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are offered out.

TV/Stream: Full stay match protection is out there through Sky Sports activities.

Commercial

Radio: Full stay match commentary out there through BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

We’ve all seen these weekends over time the place it finally ends up being a weekend the place Sky Sports activities have a double invoice that pits the highest 4 in opposition to one another – and most of us thought it was by design, however this one isn’t.

We tackle league leaders Arsenal from a place of 4th within the desk underneath the floodlights, in full gaze of the cameras in right this moment’s 17:30 kick-off, whereas tomorrow, the 2 sides immediately above us – Manchester Metropolis & Liverpool – meet on the Etihad. I’m certain Sky Sports activities would moderately change us with a Chelsea, Spurs or Manchester United, however we’re going to benefit from the second.

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How a lot we sit up for it relies on your view of our dwelling kind, particularly during the last couple of video games. Away from dwelling, we glance to have a strong recreation plan, popping out of the blocks early and being on the entrance foot when it comes to the press whereas having a strong construction and being fast on the break. At dwelling, it appears like we’re but to search out that good resolution, regardless of successful three and drawing two of the 5 on the Stadium of Gentle to date.

Our win over West Ham got here after they did not convert early probabilities, and so they crumbled like previous biscuits as soon as we acquired our noses in entrance, whereas the victory over Brentford may have gone both method, taking into consideration the slender offside and a penalty miss.

The draw in opposition to Aston Villa was arguably our greatest efficiency, however we have been required to play like we do away after the crimson card. We weren’t wholly convincing in opposition to Wolves, who have been fairly dire, and the opening half an hour in opposition to Everton was maybe our worst interval of a recreation to date this season.

All of this factors to the actual fact we’re getting outcomes at dwelling – 11 factors from a doable 15 – however we’re in all probability but to place in a whole efficiency on dwelling soil, and it’s a case of imagining what occurs once we do, and what if that’s right this moment in opposition to the league leaders?

Is that this the 12 months they win the Premier League title after 21 years? Properly, you in all probability wouldn’t wager in opposition to them wanting on the league desk, and the way the remainder of the chasing pack are both tripping over themselves attempting to communicate, or in our case, simply glad to be there for a time period.

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It’s perhaps the signal of the occasions that if we glance again to the twenty second September – simply lower than seven weeks in the past – it was the day after Arsenal had drawn in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on the Emirates, and the hive thoughts that’s social media determined there after which that Arteta was as soon as once more arising brief in his seek for the title. 5 successive wins later and he’s the mastermind behind their newest, and maybe best so far, title problem.

They’re present favourites with the bookies for not solely the Premier League title, but additionally the Champions League and it’s the scientific methodology that’s catching the attention when this facet is in comparison with one from earlier years. The final objective they conceded was at St James’ Park on the twenty eighth September, and they’re but to concede a objective within the Champions League – by the way, solely Arsenal have conceded fewer objectives than ourselves within the prime flight.

We can have finished very effectively to have maintained our unbeaten dwelling report on the remaining whistle of right this moment’s recreation, but when we would like a straw or two to clutch, we will firstly take a look at the truth that the Gunners travelled to Prague and again in midweek, however we will additionally take a look at their record of gamers unavailable by way of harm. Noni Madueke, Gabriel, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres are all lacking, so if we’re to face an opportunity, I’m undecided there shall be a greater time to take them on.

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at 7/1 to win the sport, whereas Arsenal are priced at 4/11, and the draw is 15/4.

Face to face… at Sunderland…

(All competitions)

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Final time we met… on the Stadium of LightSaturday twenty ninth October 2016Premier LeagueSunderland 1-4 Arsenal

[Defoe (pen) 65’ – Sanchez 19, 78’, Giroud 71’, 76’]

Sunderland: Pickford, Jones, O’Shea (Djilobodji), Kone, Van Aanholt, Rodwell, Ndong, Khazri, Watmore (Gooch), Pienaar (Januzaj), Defoe Substitutes not used: Mika, Love, Manquillo, Anichebe

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gibbs, Coquelin (Maitland-Niles), Mustafi, Koscielny, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Ramsey), Elneny, Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi (Giroud) Substitutes not used: Ospina, Jenkinson, Holding, Gabriel

Attendance: 44,322

Performed for each…Steve Bould

There are a pair issues I took from watching Steve Bould in a Sunderland strip all these years in the past. Firstly, he was approaching his thirty seventh birthday when he signed for us, and if he was that good at that stage of his profession, then simply how good should it have been to have watched him as an Arsenal fan when he was in his prime?

Secondly, he completed his profession with solely two England caps, and though we had numerous good central defenders from the mid-Nineteen Eighties and thru the Nineties, it’s nonetheless a thriller to me how he didn’t get extra.

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Bould began out at his hometown membership Stoke Metropolis, and commenced life within the coronary heart of their defence with a sure Denis Smith, who was within the later levels of his profession as Bould got here by way of. He would spend round eight years with the Potters from making his debut, earlier than becoming a member of George Graham’s Arsenal, the place he would turn out to be a part of a well-known defensive unit.

Eleven years on the prime with Arsenal included successful league titles, lifting FA Cups, League Cups, and a Cup Winners Cup, earlier than his time was finished, and Peter Reid persuaded him to see out his days with Sunderland. He was an instrumental determine in Reid’s facet ending seventh within the Stadium of Gentle’s first 12 months within the Premier League, however accidents would meet up with him, and he retired in 2000.

He coached at Arsenal for a few years earlier than changing into assistant to Wenger, and he’s now the defensive coach at QPR.

Prediction…Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

It acquired me nowhere being optimistic in opposition to Everton. However right this moment we doubtlessly play essentially the most scientific facet in Europe and it may be a case of organising a recreation plan as if we’re taking part in away, which could swimsuit us a bit extra. However I’m going to go along with the normal 1-0 to the Arsenal.

November 8, 2025 0 comments

Premier League

Match Preview: Chelsea v Sunderland — Robust Take a look at In The Capital For The Lads!

by Soccer-News October 25, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Saturday twenty fifth October 2025Chelsea v Sunderland – Premier LeagueStadium of Mild Kick-Off: 15:00Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are offered out.

TV/Stream: Full dwell match protection is unavailable within the UK.

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Radio: Full dwell match commentary out there through BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

If we’d been supplied to enter our ninth league sport of the season sitting seventh within the desk, stage on factors with Spurs and in the present day’s opponents Chelsea, whereas boasting the second finest defensive file within the prime flight together with Manchester Metropolis – I feel we would have laughed that any person may even should ask if we’d take it or not.

We shouldn’t underestimate the beginning we’ve needed to this season. Regardless of the questions raised across the fixture record, will probably be attention-grabbing to see on the finish of the season who takes fourteen factors from the identical set of fixtures as we’ve had in these first eight video games.

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The large information for Sunderland in the course of the week was the affirmation that Omar Alderete is unavailable for in the present day’s fixture and shall be assessed forward of the house sport towards Everton every week on Monday. However, on the intense facet, Reinildo returns after suspension so the apparent change is that Reinildo replaces Alderete and Mukiele strikes again into the center, with Hume switching again to his extra orthodox proper facet.

There are doubtlessly larger query marks over what choices may be deployed in the course of the park, with Regis Le Bris citing our first half expertise at Outdated Trafford in his press convention in the course of the week. The teachings taken from the 20-30 minute spell the place we discovered ourselves beneath strain might result in us requiring to be a bit extra strong down the flanks – an space that Le Bris admitted in the course of the week that “wants growth”.

I’m going to accidently get carried away for a second – however with Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis enjoying tomorrow – we will go a degree forward of Pep’s Blues and two behind the league leaders if we handle to gather all three factors in the present day. I doubt that can occur, nevertheless it’s not unhealthy having the ability to say it’s potential.

We all the time suppose there’s by no means a boring day supporting Sunderland, however Chelsea look like a type of golf equipment the place there all the time appears to be one thing going off. Solely final month, the Blues had been charged by the Soccer Affiliation with 74 alleged rule breaches between 2009 and 2022 – but when it’s something just like the Man Metropolis case, we would not see an final result throughout the subsequent decade.

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When you listened to our dialog with The Athletic’s Chelsea reporter Simon Johnson in the course of the week, you’re going to get the impression that they’ve was extra of a cup facet during the last eight years. Though they’ve solely completed exterior of the highest 4 on three events in that point, they haven’t actually been severe common challengers for the title, however have picked up quite a few cup victories – together with the Champions League and World Membership Cup.

The brand new homeowners have spent extra at Chelsea than Roman Abramovich did throughout his time with the membership, nevertheless it’s attention-grabbing to notice to start with simply how a lot they’ve taken in not too long ago in transfers, but additionally that they boasted the youngest beginning XI within the Premier League final weekend and broke information with youngsters scoring towards Ajax in midweek.

It’s an attention-grabbing mannequin that’s doubtlessly shopping for Enzo Maresca extra time than if they’d simply spent these sums with out specializing in youth.

We journey to the capital with a file at Stamford Bridge that stinks. We performed 62 and misplaced 40, and conceded 140 within the course of – shedding 10 of the final 12. However once we do win there we do it in large methods. Our final win there in April 2014 throughout our nice escape being the proper instance. Final day trip was once we gave John Terry a ship off, let’s hope this afternoon is extra about us than Chelsea.

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at an enormous 7/1 to win the sport, whereas Chelsea are priced at 1/3, and the draw is 4/1.

Face to face… at Stamford Bridge…

(All competitions)

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Final time we met… at Stamford BridgeSunday twenty first Might 2017Premier LeagueChelsea 5-1 Sunderland

[Willian 8’, Hazard 61’, Pedro 77’, Batshuayi 90’, 90’ – Manquillo 3’]

Sunderland: Pickford, Manquillo, Jones, O’Shea, Lescott, Oviedo, Cattermole (Gibson), Larsson, Rodwell, Januzaj (Gooch), Borini Substitutes not used: Mannone, Love, Embleton, Asoro, Maja

Chelsea: Courtois, Moses, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Terry (Cahill), Willian, Kante, Costa (Batshuayi), Hazard (Pedro), Fabregas Substitutes not used: Begovic, Zouma, Matic, Chalobah

Attendance: 41,618

Performed for each…Gareth Corridor

Croydon-born Gareth Corridor got here up by way of the ranks at Chelsea and remodeled 200 appearances for the membership till he had an preliminary mortgage transfer to Sunderland made everlasting in 1996. He would solely spend a few years on Wearside earlier than becoming a member of Colin Todd’s Swindon City in 1998. Corridor was additionally a Welsh worldwide ending up with 9 caps.

Prediction…Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland

I’ve obtained a sense it’s going to be a type of days the place we put in a superb efficiency however don’t get the rewards we deserve.

October 25, 2025 0 comments

Premier League

Match Preview: Sunderland v Wolves — The Lads Return To Motion!

by Soccer-News October 18, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Saturday 18th October 2025Sunderland v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier LeagueStadium of Gentle Kick-Off: 15:00Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are offered out.

TV/Stream: Full dwell match protection is unavailable within the UK.

Commercial

Radio: Full dwell match commentary obtainable through BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

One thing feels completely different about right now. It may be the truth that the Keel Crossing is formally opening right now, or it could possibly be the truth that there’s an expectation on Sunderland to win this afternoon.

Till right now, now we have – fairly rightly – taken our place as underdogs in our eight Premier League fixtures up to now, and I get the sensation Regis le Bris and possibly even a number of the gamers embrace that state of affairs. However right now could have a special really feel to it, the place the sensation expressed from the stand is probably an expectation to win.

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Although Wolves aren’t in the most effective of locations because it stands – extra on that additional down – Le Bris tempered these expectations by reiterating that they’re a top quality aspect and haven’t been far-off in most of their video games. It is a powerful league and particularly so this 12 months when the likes of Wolves are nonetheless aspect, however aren’t choosing up the factors.

Whereas will probably be attention-grabbing to see how Sunderland address the completely different form of stress when it comes to securing all three factors, there have been doubts about Noah Sadiki and Omar Alderete not being obtainable this weekend, so all eyes shall be on the beginning XI to see in the event that they make it. On Thursday, Le Bris thought the indicators had been constructive, however would it not be a threat to throw two important gamers into an necessary sport in the event that they’re carrying knocks?

There was additionally dialogue on the press convention concerning the significance of the sport this afternoon. Though the supervisor performed it down, there’s a possibility to place a twelve-point hole between ourselves and one of many sides tipped to be in bother come Could, so if we put it like that…

If you consider Sunderland’s previous conferences on Wearside, I consider Geoff Thomas and Lee Howey, I consider Jody Craddock and Steven Fletcher doing their factor in both shirt, I consider Sunderland scoring 5 Premier League objectives at house, a bizarre finish to a season we had been relegated to the third tier and final of all their stinking report up right here.

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Within the final 18 makes an attempt stretching again to 1981, Wolves have gained simply twice. Even once they had been working away with the Championship title and marching in the direction of the Premier League on 99 factors once they visited on the ultimate day of the season, we beat them 3-0.

However anyway, to the fashionable day and Wolves are a membership that we’re most likely taking a look at that we wouldn’t thoughts emulating if we go off the final seven years. Ending seventh of their first two seasons within the high flight, they’ve since completed between tenth and sixteenth and seem to have hit a ceiling, which is seeing the keenness wane for house owners and followers alike.

Vitor Pereira steadied the ship final season after taking up with the membership sitting second backside behind Ipswich City and searching like they had been in large bother. All of that credit score constructed up by doing that’s being spent with individuals nonetheless having religion as they nonetheless wait for his or her first victory this season.

After taking the opening day defeat to Manchester Metropolis out of the equation – having been a type of days we’re extremely prone to expertise ourselves this season – their defeats have been by single objectives, apart from a house loss to Leeds United, which might be essentially the most painful.

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Nonetheless, two attracts in opposition to Spurs and Brighton in latest weeks present a little bit of confidence going into right now’s sport, and with Burnley visiting Molineux subsequent, it could possibly be these video games that outline the way forward for the supervisor.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 5: Wolverhampton Wanderers' manager Vitor Pereira shouts instructions to his team from the technical area during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux on October 5, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 5: Wolverhampton Wanderers’ supervisor Vitor Pereira shouts directions to his crew from the technical space throughout the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux on October 5, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photograph by Lee Parker – CameraSport through Getty Pictures)

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at 7/5 to win the sport, whereas Wolves are priced at 21/20, and the draw can be 21/20.

Face to face… at Sunderland…

(All competitions)

Final time we met… on the Stadium of LightSunday sixth Could 2018ChampionshipSunderland 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

[Ejaria 19’, Fletcher 45’, McNair 66’]

Sunderland: Steele, Matthews, O’Shea (Mumba), Wilson, Oviedo (Hume), Asoro, Robson, McNair (Embleton), Molyneux, Ejaria, Fletcher Substitutes not used: Camp, Clarke-Salter, McManaman, Maja

Wolves: Norris (Burgoyne), Doherty, Douglas, Batth, Coady, Miranda, Cosat (Enobakhare), Saiss, Gibbs-White (Bonatini), Neves, Jota Substitutes not used: Vinagre, hause, N’Diaye, Afobe

Attendance: 28,452

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Joel Asoro of Sunderland (C) tries to flick the ball towards the Wolves goal during he Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wonderers at Stadium of Light on May 6, 2018 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Joel Asoro of Sunderland (C) tries to flick the ball in the direction of the Wolves aim throughout he Sky Wager Championship match between Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wonderers at Stadium of Gentle on Could 6, 2018 in Sunderland, England. (Photograph by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC through Getty Pictures)

Performed for each…Don Goodman

The Leeds-born striker started his soccer profession at Bradford Metropolis within the mid-Nineteen Eighties earlier than shifting to the West Midlands to West Bromwich Albion in 1987. Goodman had 4 profitable years on the Hawthorns earlier than Denis Smith spent a report payment of £900,000 to lure him to Roker Park to interchange Marco Gabbiadini in late 1991 after he had joined Crystal Palace.

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His three years at Roker started with Smith getting the sack, and he would miss out on an FA Cup Ultimate look as he was cup-tied, and that set the tone. An excellent participant on his day for Sunderland, however the membership was in a nasty place with managerial appointments that went improper, till the appointment of Peter Reid, that’s.

Sadly for Goodman, he had joined Wolves for £1.3m simply months earlier than the arrival of Reid, as he left to affix Wolves as they regarded destined to be promoted to the Premier League, however because it turned out, it was Sunderland who had been promoted a 12 months later.

Goodman is now an everyday commentator for Sky Sports activities.

Don Goodman, Wolverhampton Wanderers (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/EMPICS via Getty Images)

Don Goodman, Wolverhampton Wanderers (Photograph by Laurence Griffiths/EMPICS through Getty Pictures)

Prediction…Sunderland 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

There’s stress on us to win the sport, and there’s stress on them to get their first win on the board – so I get a sense it’s going to finish in a stalemate.

October 18, 2025 0 comments

Premier League

Match Preview: Manchester United v Sunderland — a giant take a look at for the Lads!

by Soccer-News October 4, 2025

written by Soccer-News

Saturday 4th October 2025Manchester United v Sunderland – Premier LeagueStadium of Mild Kick-Off: 15:00Tickets & Match Protection

Tickets: Tickets are bought out.

TV/Stream: Full dwell match protection is unavailable within the UK.

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Radio: Full dwell match commentary obtainable through BBC Radio Newcastle (not on-line)

The build-up…

Have we ever travelled to Outdated Trafford with as a lot confidence?! One thing about it simply doesn’t really feel proper, however as we’ll cowl, it’s not all about having confidence in Sunderland; it’s how far United have fallen not too long ago.

The primary information popping out of the supervisor’s press convention throughout the week was that the rumours of Nordi Mukiele being injured have been seemingly information to him, and he gave him a full invoice of well being. Sure, Dan Ballard has been nice when he’s been requested to do a job this season, and sure, we’ve others who might are available in, but when we’re all trustworthy, we need to see him in there for what’s arguably Sunderland’s first glamour sport of the season.

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Take a look at Martin’s ideas on our beginning XI at present. Nonetheless, discuss of consistency means that Le Bris might persist with the XI that took the sphere on the Metropolis Floor. Nonetheless, evaluation of the opposition in the course of the park would possibly tempt the supervisor into making a change.

Le Bris supplied some perception into his pondering because the season progresses throughout midweek when he spoke of the best way we defend and make ourselves tough to interrupt down at first, which provides us the platform to then specific ourselves later within the sport. However there was discuss of enhancing within the last third and most notably on the transition, which may be a touch that we’re starting to deal with catching sides on the break a little bit extra, as we’ve not received the foundations we have to construct on.

As we’ve mentioned, Palace, Forest and Villa are all excellent sides with histories and status, however that is Manchester United, and in some methods it appears like we’ve actually returned to the Premier League at present.

Nicely. What has occurred at Manchester United? Individuals above a sure age will know there was a interval of ~20 years the place United had the beating of most opposition sides within the tunnel earlier than the gamers even took to the pitch. It was a case of preserving the rating down fairly than in case you would take one thing.

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However we journey to the Theatre of Desires with United sitting 9 locations beneath Sunderland, however it needs to be mentioned that with a chance to be solely a degree behind us ought to they win at present.

Following a great exhibiting towards Arsenal on the opening day, they’ve seemingly scraped to outcomes on residence soil since then. A late winner towards Burnley, who have been unlucky to return away with nothing, was adopted up with an odd sport towards Chelsea, the place a pink card for the away aspect gave United an opportunity to take a two-goal lead.

Lots of discuss has centred round Amorim’s formation, however there have been incidents throughout their final sport at Brentford that have been all the way down to particular person errors fairly than formation, which factors to deeper-rooted issues than simply the system.

However a technique or one other, they are going to type themselves out, and there may not be a greater likelihood for us to say a 3rd league victory at Outdated Trafford since 1968.

The betting…

The bookies have the Lads at 5/1 to win the sport, whereas United are favourites at 1/2, and the draw is 10/3.

Face to face… in Manchester…

(All competitions)

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Manchester United wins: 43

Manchester United objectives: 153

Final time we met… at Outdated TraffordMonday twenty sixth December 2016ChampionshipManchester United 0-1 Sunderland

[Blind 39’, Ibrahimovic 82’, Mkhitaryan 86’ – Borini 90’]

Sunderland: Pickford, Jones, Denayer, Kone, Djilobodji, van Aanholt, Ndong (Love), Larsson (Khazri), Borini, Anichebe, Defoe Substitutes not used: Mannone, O’Shea, Embleton, Honeyman, Asoro

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Blind, Carrick, Jones, Rojo, Herrera (Felliani), Pogba, Ibrahimovic, Mata (Martial), Lingard (Mkhitaryan) Substitutes not used: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Rashford

Attendance: 75,325

Performed for each…Peter Davenport

Davenport was plucked from the West Cheshire league by Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest and didn’t look again. 4 years on the Metropolis Floor resulted in a transfer to Manchester United in 1986 below Ron Atkinson after which Alex Ferguson, earlier than becoming a member of Middlesbrough after which the Lads in 1990.

Three years and 120 appearances later, Davenport made a transfer north of the border to affix Airdrie. Spells at St Johnstone, Stockport County, Southport and Macclesfield City adopted earlier than retiring in 2004.

Prediction…Manchester United 0-0 Sunderland

I really feel a nervous afternoon is forward, however I really feel we are able to frustrate them sufficient that they don’t create that second they should get forward.

October 4, 2025 0 comments

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