Tuesday’s trip to Macron Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers has been billed as the ‘game of the season’ by Chris Coleman, and we’ve got every base covered in the preview below.
Four points separate the sides heading into the clash and victory would provide Coleman’s men with a seismic boost heading into Saturday’s Wear-Tees derby…
SEIZE THE INITIATIVE
A fast start in Lancashire is likely to shape Sunderland’s fortunes and the Black Cats can’t afford to hand Bolton the initiative. Brentford forced four corners in the first five minutes of Saturday’s game and the led after just 13, with a two-goal lead established after the half-hour mark. Unlike last weekend at Bristol City, there was to be no heroic comeback. And Coleman warned his side they can’t keep giving themselves mountains to climb. The Trotters, meanwhile, have suffered back-to-back defeats in the last seven days and are without a win since 2 February, but they haven’t lost at home since mid-December when Burton clinched a 1-0 win.
STARTING LINE
Bolton enter the game with a four-point advantage over the Black Cats by they are by no means safe, and victory for Coleman’s men would haul Phil Parkinson’s side back into the thick of it. Both will also be mindful of the action elsewhere on Tuesday evening, with Birmingham City and Hull City both on the road at play-off chasing Brentford and Middlesbrough, as Barnsley and Burton face off at Oakwell. And just four points separate the bottom six…
DUO BACK IN ACTION
Sunderland have been handed a boost ahead of the game with Lamine Kone and Paddy McNair available for selection – and it wouldn’t be a surprise if both started at the Macron. Bolton favour a three-man defence with wing backs and Coleman could revert to that system and recall Kone, with McNair completing 90 minutes on two occasions for the under-23s in recent weeks. Marc Wilson and Kazenga LuaLua won’t feature, though, with Ovie Ejaria facing a race against time.
ENFORCED CHANGES
Parkinson, meanwhile, will have to make changes. Mark Little will start a three-match ban following is red card at QPR, while midfielder Josh Vela left Loftus Road wearing a protective boot due to an ankle injury. Darren Pratley travelled to Saturday’s game but wasn’t included in the 18-man squad, and Aaron Wilbraham, Will Buckley and Craig Noone are back in training. On loan from Liverpool, Jon Flanagan is also back in contention.
FOLLOW THE GAME
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Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be in the commentary booth from 7pm, with minute-by-minute analysis available right here and across social media from Twitter to Instagram.