Sunderland under-18s will continue their Premier League campaign this Saturday as Middlesbrough come to town.
Here’s our all you need to know guide ahead of the Wear-Tees match-up…
LAST TIME OUT
Sunderland under-18s bounced back from their recent defeat to Stoke City to earn three points against Manchester City thanks to Bali Mumba’s second-half strike. Mumba’s goal direct from a corner ensured Mark Atkinson’s side got back to winning ways in addition to keeping a hard-earned clean sheet at the Academy of Light.
THE LEAGUE CAMPAIGN
Adverse weather conditions meant the youth team’s trip to Everton was postponed last Saturday. That means Atkinson’s side head into this weekend’s match without a competitive game in their legs in the last 10 days. Sitting pretty in mid-table, Atkinson has expressed time after time this season how impressed he has been with his side’s application throughout the campaign. Just four points off the likes of Manchester City in the league, Atkinson has warned his side against complacency as Boro provide the next challenge. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, head to Wearside looking to claw themselves away from the lower end of the league. Victory over the Black Cats could see them climb up to as high as eighth.
MARK ATKINSON SAYS…
“The aim as individuals and a team is to see the season out. We want to continue to do what we are doing. Our new players are starting to play, and it is an opportunity for them to nail their place down. There is still a lot to play for from our point of view. The lads have put themselves in a great position to achieve their goals, but they must continue to work in these final six games. This is the first game since our Manchester City victory and it will be interesting to see how our lads react and go about playing this next test.”
HOW TO GET IN
Sunderland’s match against Middlesbrough will be played behind closed doors at the Academy of Light on Saturday.
