Sunderland will be aiming to deliver a festive treat on Boxing Day when they continue their Sky Bet Championship campaign at Bramall Lane…
ON A ROLL
Chris Coleman reflected on Saturday’s draw against Birmingham as ‘not the performance we’d hoped for’. A fair and honest take on the match which saw us fail to capitalise on our victory over Fulham the week before to the full. That said, it was a point. It was another point that kept our unbeaten run going to three matches and with just one defeat in our last five matches, plus with three clean sheets in that time also, Coleman has got the Black Cats galvanised going into a cracker of a festive period. Next stop, Bramall Lane…
THE BLADES
Sheffield United welcome Sunderland to Bramall Lane on Boxing Day looking to do the league double over the Black Cats for the first time since the 1986/87 campaign. However, the Blades are without a win in their previous six matches, having collected just two points from a possible 18. That has seen them slide out of the play-off spots, with their last home win – a 4-1 victory over Hull City – coming on November 4.
THE HISTORY BOOKS
It was a day to forget for Sunderland earlier in the season when they welcomed Sheffield United to the Stadium of Light. Chris Wilder’s capitalised on the Black Cats’ woes on home soil and secured a 2-1 victory while they were in top form as they won four league matches on the bounce. However, the Blades fortunes against the Black Cats has been mixed in years gone by, with the lads winning four of the last six. Sunderland’s last win at Bramall Lane came in October 2003 when Kevin Kyle scored the game’s only goal on 68 minutes. Let’s hope for some Christmas cheer this time round also!
TEAM NEWS
Coleman will have to make a decision on Darron Gibson, who went off with a long-term groin injury on Saturday against Birmingham City. With Lee Cattermole expected to be out for up to a month and Paddy McNair also on the treatment table, the Welshman has admitted he doesn’t have much to chose from when selecting his central midfielders.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, will be without John Fleck, who serves the final game of a three-match ban. David Brooks might be contention after suffering from tonsillitis while Kieron Freeman and Ched Evans remain sidelined.
AWAY DAY SELL OUT
Sunderland’s fans have snapped up all the allocated tickets for both festive away days. The Black Cats will be backed by over 2,200 supporters for the match at Bramall Lane, as Coleman’s side look to extend their unbeaten run on the road to three matches. Coleman’s Sunderland have kept back-to-back clean sheets on the road, with their latest seeing them shut out the Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ha’way the Lads!
FOLLOW THE ACTION
If you’re unable to attend the game we have comprehensive coverage of all the action as it happens across our digital channels.
Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be in the commentary booth from 2pm, with minute-by-minute analysis available right here and across social media from Twitter to Instagram.
