Guide to Sunderland under-18s’ trip to Derby County this weekend.
Date: Saturday 18 February 2017
Time: 1pm
Location: Derby County Football Club Academy
Competition: U18 Premier League
Sunderland: LLLWD
Mark Atkinson has praised the attitude of his players this week after they collected four points from their last two matches.
The timely upturn in form has seen them close the gap on Wolverhampton Wanderers, who sit one place above them at the foot of the table.
With a trip to Derby County next up for the Black Cats, Atkinson will be extremely keen for his side to move off the bottom.
Derby County: DWWLL
Defeats to Liverpool and a still undefeated Manchester City side have seen Derby County’s early 2017 form turn to dust.
With a draw and back-to-back league wins showing promising signs at the start of the year, the Rams will be targeting a return to winning ways when Sunderland come to town this weekend.
The Last five...
Nov 5 2016 – Sunderland U18 1-2 Derby County U18
Feb 13 2016 – Derby County U18 1-1 Sunderland U18
Sept 26 2015 – Sunderland U18 2-4 Derby County U18
Apr 2 2015 – Derby County U18 1-0 Sunderland U18
Jan 17 2015 – Derby County U18 3-3 Sunderland U18
Focus: Lee Connelly
The young Scottish striker added a further two goals to his tally on Tuesday when his efforts earned the Black Cats a point in a mini Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United. That’s now 13 for the season for Connelly who is enjoying a bright campaign in the youth team’s ranks.
