The dramatic story of the day as Sunderland drop more points against Accrington Stanley
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats have seen their automatic promotion hopes fade after a disappointing few weeks, although there were some promising signs to come from the side’s 2-2 draw at Hull City in midweek.
And that will give Lee Johnson the confidence that his team can secure a much-needed victory against Accrington Stanley this afternoon.
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Hide AdHowever, they may have to do so without the influential Aiden McGeady, who is a doubt ahead of the clash.
Accrington, meanwhile, still hold hopes of a play-off place themselves and clinched an impressive win over Doncaster Rovers in midweek.
Our team of writers will be bringing you match updates, analysis and reaction from the Stadium of Light – as Sunderland look to cement their play-off place while applying more pressure on Hull and Peterborough United in the top two.
FT: Sunderland AFC 3-3 Accrington Stanley (Wyke 6, 11, Power 83; Bishop 51, O’Nien OG 68, McConville 85)
Key Events
- Sunderland face Accrington Stanley looking to end their five-game winless run in League One
- The Black Cats showed signs of promise in midweek as they drew with table-topping Hull City
- Aiden McGeady is a doubt for the game with a foot injury
- SAFC XI: Burge; Power, Wright, O’Nien, Hume; Scowen, Winchester, Gooch, McGeady; O’Brien, Wyke
Looks like Remi Matthews will be back in the squad today
He’s just come out to warm-up with Anthony Patterson.
The former Bolton man missed the draw at Hull with a toe injury.
BREAKING: THE TEAM NEWS IS IN!
Here’s how Sunderland line-up: Burge; Power, Wright, O’Nien, Hume; Scowen, Winchester, Gooch, McGeady; O’Brien, Wyke
And on the bench: Matthews, Maguire, Diamond, Leadbitter, McFadzean, Jones, Stewart
That’s three changes from the draw at Hull, with Aiden McGeady, Denver Hume and Aiden O’Brien coming in for Callum McFadzean, Jordan Jones and Grant Leadbitter.
It looks like a 4-4-2 for the Black Cats, with O’Brien and Wyke leading the line.
Here’s the full team sheet from the Stadium of Light
Accrington are unchanged from their midweek win over Doncaster Rovers.
Sunderland are out to warm-up!
And the sun is beaming down on the Stadium of Light (it’s still cold, mind!).
The players are warming-up in Foundation of Light shirts today as the club celebrate their charity partner on their 20th anniversary.
Oliver Younger is warming-up with the Sunderland team today as the extra man - despite missing out on a place on the bench.
The final touches!
Sunderland and Accrington are putting the final touches to their warm-ups now.
The Black Cats, as expected, are warming-up as a back four - while Aiden O’Brien, Josh Scowen and Carl Winchester, are warming-up as a midfield unit - with the former Millwasll man practicing breaking away into space.
An early result in League One...
Portsmouth have beaten Bristol Rovers.
That result means the Gas, who are managed by Joey Barton, are now relegated.
Here. We. Go!
The two teams are out at the Stadium of Light - with Sunderland first out, before being quickly follwed by Accrington.
Sunderland’s squad are in special shirts today to mark the work done by the Foundation of Light.