Sunderland under-18s will continue their Premier League campaign this Saturday when West Bromwich Albion head to the north east.
Here’s our all you need to know guide ahead of this weekend’s league encounter...
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 STORY OF FAR
Adverse weather conditions meant the youth team’s trip to Everton was postponed at the start of the month while last Saturday’s Wear-Tees match-up was called off due a waterlogged pitch. That has meant Atkinson’s men have had to put their league campaign on hold over the last few weeks. With a game in hand over the teams around them, the Black Cats sit seventh and just four points behind fourth-place Manchester City. West Bromwich Albion, meanwhile, head to Wearside looking to move 11 points clear of Wolverhampton Wanderers to ease any faint relegation fears. And after suffering a heavy defeat last time out to Manchester United, a response will be high on the Baggies’ agenda.
MARK ATKINSON SAYS…
“It has been frustrating because it has been three weeks since our last match due to the poor weather. It has been a frustrating time because we obviously wanted to build on from our previous match when we defeated Manchester City. We have sort of forgotten about that performance now and we are focused on seeing out our final six games. West Brom have done something very similar to us. They are a young side, but the main thing is we just have to keep doing what we are doing. The message from us is to continue on the run of form we are on for the remaining six games.”
CAN I WATCH THE MATCH?
Saturday’s U18 Premier League fixture between Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion will be played behind closed doors at the Academy of Light.