Sunderland return to action on Wednesday when they take on Watford in the Championship.
Here are all the details you need to know about Wednesday’s game…
WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?
Having seen off Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Friday evening, Sunderland return to home soil when they host Watford at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.
The Black Cats have a mixed recent home record against Watford, with the clubs’ last three meetings on Wearside have resulted in a Sunderland victory, a Sunderland defeat and a draw.
The most recent game between the two sides at the Stadium of Light came in April, and ended in a 2-2 draw as goals from Luke O’Nien and Patrick Roberts enabled Sunderland to claw back a two-goal deficit to claim a point.
WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?
Wednesday’s game kicks off at the traditional midweek time of 7.45pm.
ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?
Yes – tickets for Wednesday’s game are still available via the ticketing section of Sunderland’s official website.
Tickets start at £29 for adults, £26 for Over-65s and £22 for Under-22s and £12 for Under-16s.
IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?
Yes – Wednesday’s game is available on Sky Sports via the Sky Sports Mix channel.
With the game being available via Sky Sports Mix, there is no domestic streaming available.
Radio coverage of Wednesday’s game will be available on BBC Radio Newcastle. The Northern Echo’s Dominic Shaw will be at the Stadium of Light producing a live blog, report, ratings, analysis and reaction on The Northern Echo’s website.
WHAT IS SUNDERLAND’S LIKELY LINE-UP?
With no new injury problems to have emerged from Friday’s win over Sheffield Wednesday, Tony Mowbray could opt to name an unchanged side against Watford.
Aji Alese and Pierre Ekwah are both closing in on a first-team return as they edge towards the end of their respective recoveries from injury, but it is unlikely that either will be pressed straight back into action in the starting side on Wednesday night. The same is true of Bradley Dack, who has been absent because of a hamstring issue.
Dennis Cirkin is also expected to miss out again, meaning Niall Huggins is likely to continue at left-back.
Tony Mowbray has hinted that he will have to shuffle his attacking pack at some stage, but while Luis Hemir and Nazariy Rusyn are both options to start, Mason Burstow is expected to retain his place at the head of Sunderland’s attack after claiming two assists in Friday’s win at Hillsborough.
Sunderland (probable, 4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Huggins; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Pritchard, Clarke; Burstow.
HOW ARE WATFORD SHAPING UP?
Watford have had a disappointing start to the season, and head into Wednesday’s game sitting in 20th position in the Championship table, just a point clear of the relegation zone.
Their defensive frailties were apparent at the weekend as they suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Middlesbrough, conceding two goals in the opening 12 minutes, and they have not recorded an away win since January, a run that stretches to 16 matches.
Ken Sema has missed Watford’s last four games with a muscular injury, and is expected to be absent again, but under-pressure Hornets boss Valerien Ismael could opt to make changes in the wake of his side’s weekend loss to Boro.
Matheus Martins was a half-time substitute at the weekend, and could the nod over Mileta Rajovic, while another substitute from Saturday, Tom Ince, is also pushing for a recall to the starting side.
Watford (probable, 3-4-3): Bachmann; Porteous, Sierralta, Hoedt; Ngakia, Louza, Dele-Bashiru, Lewis; Ince, Martins, Bayo.
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