Sunderland return to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening for a trio of fixtures which are set to define their season.
- Tickets: Sunderland v Burton Albion
- Watch: Jack Ross' Brewers press conference
- Team news: Who's in and out of the Burton clash
Starting with Burton Albion, kick-off 7:45pm, Jack Ross’ side will be looking to take full advantage of their game in hand as a win would move them three clear of Barnsley and crucially into the second automatic promotion place in League One.
While a point would be enough for them to leapfrog the Tykes, a win is what the Black Cats ideally need if they are to put a marker down with just six games left following the conclusion of the Brewers test.
George Honeyman’s 89th minute winner sparked mass celebrations from the 3,000 travelling fans at Rochdale on Saturday, after Charlie Wyke’s first goal since September had cancelled out Ian Henderson’s opener.
That 2-1 win came after a convincing 3-0 victory at Accrington Stanley in midweek as the Lads put behind them their Wembley pain at the end of March.
Unbeaten in the league on home soil too, Ross’ men go up against Nigel Clough’s Burton who were the last team to get one over the Lads on home soil in the league.
Losing 2-1 to Burton in April 2018, that result condemned the Black Cats to League One football. The Brewers then also got the better of the Lads earlier in the season and they are only one of two sides to defeat them so far in the league after 39 games.
So, with that in mind, the stakes couldn’t be higher this time round as the season’s climax nears…
Burton head to the Stadium of Light this evening riding the crest of the best wave of form they’ve had this season.
Three straight wins and just two defeats in their last 12 games have moved them to within 10 points of the play-offs, however, with just 18 points on offer they’re hopes of a late charge up the table are extremely faint.
Jake Buxton, David Templeton and Kyle McFadzean are doubts, leaving Clough with little to choose from at the back.
Sunderland, meanwhile, will be without Lee Cattermole, Lynden Gooch, Adam Matthews and Reece James. Aiden McGeady is also doubtful after being forced off at half-time last week at Accrington Stanley.DON’T MISS A SECOND
Cash turnstiles will be in operation for tonight’s home match – full details available here.
Streaming passes are also on sale now.
BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes will be broadcasting live right here on safc.com from 2pm.
As ever, there will be comprehensive coverage across our digital channels including safc.com’s matchday blog and live updates on Twitter via @SunderlandAFC.