Preston North End vs Sunderland: How to Watch, Team News, Recent Form, Referee

All you need to know ahead of Sunderland's final Sky Bet Championship game against Preston North End.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Publish date:
May 5, 2023 8:22 AM EDT

Sunderland head to Lancashire on Monday to face a Preston North End side on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run.

A win and results working in their favour will secure Sunderland a spot in the Sky Bet Championship 2022/23 play-offs.

The match has been selected for TV coverage and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Over 6,000 Sunderland fans are making the journey down to Deepdale which comes as no surprise.

Last time out, Sunderland salvaged a 2-2 draw against Watford, whilst Preston North End lost 4-1 away at already-promoted Sheffield United.

How to Watch

When: Monday 8th May 2023, kick-off at 3pm

Where: Deepdale

TV: SAFC Stream (International) or Sky Sports

Radio: BBC Radio Newcastle

Team News

Robbie Brady could return to Preston North End training this weekend after missing out on the last two games through injury, while Ben Whiteman will miss out with a groin injury.

Bambo Diaby will also be missing as he is currently serving a suspension. Ryan Lowe has no fresh injury concerns.

One or two Sunderland players missed training on Thursday for different reasons, but Mowbray refused to say who.

Last Meeting

The two teams last played each other in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 1st October 2022, with the two sides playing out a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland Team: Patterson, Gooch, O'Nien, Batth, Alese, Roberts, Evans, Neil, Clarke, Embleton, Pritchard

Recent Form

Preston North End: WLLDL

Sunderland: WWDWD

Head-to-head (last 10 matches)

Preston North End wins: 5

Draws: 3

Sunderland wins: 2

Who is the referee for Preston North End vs Sunderland?

Robert Madley will take charge of this match and has refereed 22 matches over the last 12 months and issuing 93 yellow cards.

He will be assisted by Andrew Fox and Carl Fitch-Jackson, with Robert Lewis acting as the fourth official.

What the managers have said...

Ryan Lowe will be hoping his side can finish the season on a positive note, as he acknowledges what's at stake for Sunderland and knows it will be a tough test on the final day of the season.

Lowe said: "It's a massive game.

"It's not one where we can just have our flip flops on and think we're on the beach, no chance.

"It's the last game of the season and we want to send the fans home happy with something to say, 'Okay, can we go a little bit better next season? Can the support get bigger and stronger and more fans coming through the doors?'.

"But ultimately we know there's a good team in Sunderland standing in our way and we want to make sure we're on it because they're trying to get into the play-offs.

"What we can't do is we can't turn up at 60 or 70% because you'll get beat.

"We've got to turn up at 100% knowing that there's a game on our hands and hopefully we can put Saturday's result and performance behind us with a positive result on Monday."

Tony Mowbray is excited ahead of the last game of the season and will hope that with a win and results working in his sides favour, that Sunderland will be amongst the Sky Bet Championship 2022/23 Play-Offs.

Mowbray said: "We will be really positive from the off. I don't think we need to be cagey.

"I think knowing you have to win, we will keep going until the end however long that end is.

"I think the goal difference side of it for us is pretty positive in just about all aspects.

"If Coventry get beat 1-0 and we win 1-0, the goals scored would take us above Coventry even though the goal difference would be the same.

"Everyone is aware of that stuff but I think our goal difference is pretty positive. We just have to win the game."