Sunderland’s first season back in the Sky Bet Championship continues with a Play-Off showdown against Luton Town this Saturday evening (KO 5:30pm) in front of a packed-out Stadium of Light.
A dramatic final day saw the Lads claim sixth spot in the division, emphatically beating Preston 3-0 at Deepdale, with Tony Mowbray’s side now set for a face-off with Rob Edwards and the third-placed Hatters.
Following last year’s League One Play-Off success and an impressive first season back in the second tier, the Black Cats are now two games away from a potential Wembley visit once again, with either Middlesbrough or Coventry awaiting the winner.
Team news
Tony Mowbray has confirmed that Dan Ballard will be unavailable for the game.
Opposition
Luton Town made the Play-Offs last season following a sixth-placed finish but lost out over two legs to Huddersfield. The game at Kenilworth Road ended 1-1, with the Terriers’ Daniel Sinani scoring the opener, only for Sonny Bradley to equalise later in the first half. Huddersfield clinched their spot in the final after Jordan Rhodes’ late winner at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The visitors only registered two league wins in their first 10 games this season but have went from strength to strength as the season has progressed. The Hatters are unbeaten in 14, only losing 2 in 25 league games.
The last four encounters between the two sides have ended in 1-1 draws. Out of the 61 meetings, Sunderland have been victorious on 32 occasions.
Around the grounds
Middlesbrough and Coventry face off at the Coventry Building Society Arena for their first leg on Sunday at 12noon, with the second leg at the Riverside at 8pm next Wednesday.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the final game of the normal campaign last Monday, confirming the Sky Blues’ spot in the top-six, but more will be at stake for the two sides this time around.
Tickets & streaming
Saturday’s game will be in front of a capacity crowd and therefore no more tickets are available to purchase.
For supporters not in attendance, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 5pm.
Social media coverage will be available via the club’s official accounts on Twitter @SunderlandAFC, and Instagram @sunderlandafcofficial. A pre- and post-match show will be broadcast live on the SAFC Twitter page.