Shrewsbury vs Sunderland preview: Team news, how to watch, recent form and referee

All you need to know ahead of the game against Shrewsbury Town.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Updated:
Jan 6, 2023 11:31 PM EST
Original:
Jan 6, 2023

Sunderland take a break from league action as they travel down to Shrewsbury Town in the third round of the FA Cup.

The Black Cats will be looking to progress to the fourth round for the first time in eight years.

The North East side have sold all of their tickets with just under 2,000 people making the 446-mile round trip.

If the game remains level at full time, there will be a replay at the Stadium of Light.

The Shrews beat National League opposition York City in the FA Cup first round proper 2-1, before triumphing 3-1 over their league one rivals Peterborough United in the second round. This is Sunderland's first appearance in the FA Cup this season.

Team News

Tom Flanagan will be missing for the home side after suffering an injury in their recent game against Fleetwood Town.

Carl Winchester is ineligible to face his parent club, but the Shrews will be able to call upon Matthew Pennington after his red card appeal was overturned.

Lynden Gooch has resumed full training for Sunderland and will be making the trip down to Shrewsbury Town.

Danny Batth (calf), Aji Alese (foot), Dennis Cirkin (thigh), Niall Huggins (ankle), Corry Evans (illness), Alex Pritchard (calf) and long term casualty Elliot Embleton (fractured ankle) will all miss the game for the away side through injury.

Jewison Bennette is pushing for starting spots if Mowbray opts to rotate the side.

How to watch Shrewsbury v Sunderland in the FA Cup

Last Meeting

The two sides last met in League One at the Stadium of Light in April 2022, where Sunderland won a closely fought match winning 3-2.

The Sunderland goals were scored by Elliot Embleton and Nathan Broadhead who scored a double.

Sunderland team: Patterson, Winchester, Bailey-Wright, Cirkin, Gooch, Matete, Embleton, O'Nien, Clarke, Broadhead, Stewart

Recent Form

Shrewsbury Town: WWLLL

Sunderland: LDWWD

Head-to-Head (Last 10 Matches)

Shrewsbury Town wins: 2

Draws: 3

Sunderland wins: 5

Referee

Scott Oldham will take charge of this match and has refereed 35 games over the last 12 months and has issued 49 yellow cards.

Oldham last refereed a Sunderland game in League One back in December 2021, where Sunderland beat Plymouth Argyle at the Stadium of Light in a 2-1 win.

He will be assisted by Geoffrey Liddle and Declan O'Shea, with Simon Mather acting as the fourth official.

What the managers have said

Steve Cotterill knows that his team will have to be at their best if they want to cause an upset.

Cotterill said: "We'll need some noisy fans behind us this week because Sunderland will have them, that's for sure. I think they have sold out their end.

"They will get right behind Sunderland so we need our guys in the other three stands of the ground to really get behind the lads and help them out.

"It's going to be a difficult game, they are a good team. I know Tony Mowbray very well. I've come up against him a few times.

"It will be a tough game whatever side they put out. I think they'll put out a strong team."

Tony Mowbray, meanwhile, knows that his side head into the match as favourites, but won't underestimate the threat that Shrewsbury Town will pose.

Mowbray said: "It is an opportunity for some younger players to be given an opportunity to get on the grass and play for this football club.

"Shrewsbury will be right in our face and try to make life difficult - we need to get the balance right in the team to make sure we progress.

"Shrewsbury Town are going to be very competitive. Their coach has had teams who have always been feisty and you know you are in a game against them.

"We look forward to that, but I have to make sure we get the balance right."

Sunderland Predicted line-up

Sunderland predicted starting XI (4-1-4-1): Bass; Hume, Ballard, Wright, O'Nien; Neil; Roberts, Ba, Michut, Bennette; Dajaku