Sunderland under-18s will continue their Premier League campaign this afternoon when they face Middlesbrough at the Academy of Light.
Here’s your all you need to know guide ahead of the match…
LAST TIME OUT
Sam Greenwood’s 43rd minute penalty handed the Black Cats the lead at half-time before Glen McAuley’s spot-kick hauled the Reds level after 59 minutes. Andrias Edmundsson’s 87th minute header ensured that all three points remained on Wearside as Sunderland secured back-to-back wins over Merseyside opposition.
WHERE THEY STAND
Currently seventh in the U18 Premier League, victory or Mark Atkinson’s side this afternoon would see them leapfrog Derby County into sixth while going level on points with Stoke City. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, will be looking to move seven clear of Wolverhampton Wanderers at the bottom as the season nears its climax.
MARK ATKINSON SAYS
MA: “This season the so-called big clubs we’ve performed really well against, and up until the Manchester City game I think we had played our best football against the big clubs, but we hadn’t got anything against them. All of a sudden now in the last four games we’ve beaten three of the top four sides and that’s something that the lads should be proud of.”
CAN I WATCH?
The match will kick-off at the Academy of Light at 12pm. The fixture will be played behind closed doors.
