SAFC Under-21s are back at Eppleton on Monday night, looking to end the Sunderland vs Stoke City trilogy with victory (KO 7pm).
The first of four Premier League 2 games left for the young Lads coincides with first-team and U18 fixtures against the Potters, and alongside fixtures elsewhere, we could move from our current position of ninth and above rivals Newcastle United.
Graeme Murty and John Hewitson have prepared for this game with 10 days’ focus, after a rollercoaster encounter at Aston Villa resulted in a 6-4 defeat at Bodymoor Heath last time out. The preparation schedule during the week included behind-closed-doors action in Glasgow alongside the Rangers B team.
A familiar pool of U21 players is expected to be involved, alongside the potential sprinkling of one or two first-teamers requiring minutes – though this is not a certainty. There are as ever expected to be numerous U18 players making the step up, as concentration already looks partially ahead to the summer turnover and next season’s U21 squad.
Last time out against Stoke proved successful for the Black Cats back in October, running out 3-2 winners at St. George’s Park as Edouard Michut was on the scoresheet. Netting the other two for Sunderland was local lad Harry Gardiner – the striker has recently been nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month accolade having scored in each of his last three games.
Tickets are available via the e-ticketing site on safc.com, at a cost of £3 for adults and £1 for concessions. SAFC Season Cards and Eppleton Season Cards are both valid for admission to this fixture. Supporters are advised that a cashless system is in operation at Eppleton.
Due to Premier League streaming regulations, this match will be unable to be streamed live, but social media coverage will be active via our dedicated Academy Twitter page, @AcademyOfLight.