Sunderland host Bristol City this weekend at the Stadium of Light as we close in on the business end of the Sky Bet Championship.
Here is everything you need to know about the game…
Opposition
Bristol City currently sit one place and two points above the Lads in 12th place in the table. They’ve played 40 games, winning 15, drawing eight and losing 17.
The opposition boast one of the tightest defences this season having let slip the fourth fewest goals in the division, conceding just 45 times.
The Robins are managed by Liam Manning who took over on 7 Novemeber 2023 taking over from Nigel Pearson.
Tommy Conway sits top of the goalscoring charts for the club this season with nine goals to his name in all competitions.
In the last meeting between the two clubs on Wearside, the points were in a shared in a 1-1 draw as Jack Clarke scored a thunderbolt in the second half.
Team News
Aji Alese is in contention for this weekend’s game after recent minutes for the Under-21s this week.
The defender completed the full game in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Huddersfield Town Under-21s in the Central League.
Interim Head Coach Mike Dodds said: “Aji played 90 minutes on Wednesday which was really important for psychologically because he hasn’t done that in a while. He will be in contention for this weekend’s game.”
Club captain Corry Evans will return to training next week after suffering a minor setback in his recovery. “Corry had a reaction in training, nothing major.” Dodds added. “But he is back to part-training and won’t be in the squad this weekend.”
Nazariy Rusyn made a return to light training this week whilst Dennis Cirkin and Elliot Embleton remain sidelined. Defensive duo Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins are currently undergoing rehabilitation from long-term injury.
Around the grounds
Friday
Rotherham United vs Plymouth Argyle (8pm)
Saturday
Norwich City vs Ipswich Town (12.30pm)
Blackburn Rovers vs Southampton (3pm)
Cardiff City vs Hull City (3pm)
Coventry City vs Leeds United (3pm)
Huddersfield Town vs Millwall (3pm)
Leicester City vs Birmingham City (3pm)
Middlesbrough vs Swansea City (3pm)
Queens Park Rangers vs Sheffield Wednesday (3pm)
Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion (3pm)
Watford vs Preston North End (3pm)
International Fans’ Day
Held in partnership with the Branch Liaison Council, the third edition of International Fans’ Day is set to be bigger and better than ever before as we dedicate this weekend’s game to our overseas supporters.
Supporters heralding from Canada, New Zealand and Tasmania have already confirmed their attendance, with many more expected to travel to Wearside from the Club’s 35 overseas branches.
Attendees toured the Academy of Light tour on Friday before celebrating their arrival in the North East at the SAFC Fans’ Museum, which will also be open on matchday from 10am.
After visiting the Beacon of Light Fan Zone pre-match, our international visitors will take to their seats for the main event before attending an exclusive post-match meet and greet with players and staff.
Their matchday experience will conclude at Diego's Joint in Sunniside, as BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes and the Sunderland Echo’s Phil Smith host a red and white talk-in.
Streaming
Streaming passes are available to anyone outside of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.