Sunderland host Sheffield United in the Championship tonight.
The Black Cats finally ended their winless run of four games last weekend. Their win over Norwich City was a much improved display and it showed the kind of fight the squad appeared to be lacking this season.
The Blades sit 2nd in the league still despite a slightly shaky few months. Sheffield United fell to another defeat at the weekend to Luton Town and now Paul Heckingbottom’s side appear to be struggling for consistency in the league. The gap to Middlesbrough is now only three points and a win here could be crucial to their automatic promotion chances.
Sunderland team news
Amad Diallo and Alex Pritchard missed the trip to Carrow Road – Amad won’t be ready for tonight, but Pritchard may have a role to play in some capacity, Mowbray has said.
Elsewhere, Dennis Cirkin is still struggling with the concussion he picked up against Millwall at the start of February and it remains to be seen whether he’ll feature here.
Aji Alese, Elliot Embleton, Corry Evans, and Ross Stewart are all sidelined with season-ending injuries.
Predicted XI
Patterson (GK)
Hume
Batth
Ballard
O’Nien
Michut
Neil
Clarke
Ba
Roberts
Gelhardt
It’s unlike Mowbray to change his side too much, so after a solid performance on Sunday he could opt for exactly the same XI once again here.
Amad and Pritchard may be available for selection, but an extra few days rest won’t harm the pair as Sunderland try to avoid yet more long term injuries.
Match-winner Abdoullah Ba will likely retain his spot in behind Joe Gelhardt with fans seeing a different side to the Frenchman’s game last weekend.
The game kicks off at 8pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
