Sunderland vs Birmingham City: How to watch, team news, recent form and referee

All you need to know ahead of the Sky Bet Championship game between Sunderland and Birmingham City.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Updated:
Apr 14, 2023 11:11 PM EDT
Original:
Apr 14, 2023

After securing four points over the Easter weekend, Sunderland now face back to back home games at the Stadium of Light as the lads push for a top ten finish in their first season back in the Championship after four years out.

Sunderland can still make the play-offs, but must win their last five matches of the season and hope results work in their favour.

Last time out, Sunderland secured a 1-0 win away at Cardiff City, while Birmingham City played out a goalless draw with Stoke City.

How to watch

When: Saturday 15th April 2023, Kick-Off: 3pm
Where: Stadium of Light
TV: SAFC Live (International)

Due to EFL broadcasting restrictions, SAFC live streaming will not be available to UK-based supporters.

Team News

Luke O'Nien has taken part in Sunderland training this week after missing the win in South Wales and could feature this weekend. Tony Mowbray has no fresh injury concerns.

Bailey Wright has returned to Wearside from his loan spell at Rotherham United after suffering an ankle ligament injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season.

Dion Sanderson (back) and Troy Deeney (hamstring) have recently returned to Blues training after injury, but it remains to be seen whether they will play a part this weekend.

Lukas Jutkiewicz could continue to lead the line after his recent form for the Blues, with Scott Hogan having to settle for a place on the bench.

Last Meeting

The two sides last played each other in the Sky Bet Championship on Friday 11th November 2022, with Sunderland coming back to Wearside with all three points after goals in either half from Ellis Simms and Amad Diallo securing a 2-1 win.

Sunderland Team: Patterson, Hume, Wright, Batth, Huggins, Evans, Neil, Diallo, Pritchard, Clarke, Simms

Recent Form

Sunderland: LDDDW
Birmingham City: LWWDD

Head-to-head (last 10 matches)

Sunderland wins: 5
Draws: 3
Birmingham City wins: 2

Who is the referee for Sunderland vs Birmingham City?

Stephen Martin will take charge of this match and has refereed 29 matches over the last 12 months and issuing 129 yellow cards.

He will be assisted by Matthew McGrath and Mark Dwyer, with Leigh Doughty acting as the fourth official.

What the Managers have said

Tony Mowbray is taking each game as it comes as he tells his side to be focused as the lads face back-to-back home games in the space of three days.

Mowbray said: "I've been saying all throughout the second half of the season that we do just have to concentrate on playing the next game.

"Our next two games are at home. We got a decent draw at Burnley and then we were flattened a bit by a last-minute penalty against Hull, but followed it up with being picked up again, going to Cardiff and bringing back three points.

"If we can get six points from these two games, then maybe we'll have a discussion of seeing how far we can get. We'll give Birmingham our very best shot."

John Eustace is expecting a tough test when his side travel to Wearside, but has called on his players to rise to the occasion.

Eustace said: "Tony Mowbray has done a fantastic job there, they are a good footballing team, they play the right way. We know it will be a difficult game but one we are looking towards.

"Fantastic stadium and a fantastic place to go and play football.

"They're a really good team and they've had a really good season up to now so we know it's going to be a tough game.

"There's still contracts to be given out and people we want to watch and see how they're progressing and developing. There's five big games for everyone involved at the football club going forward, that's staff and players.

"No one will be letting up at all. The most important game is the next one and we want to be ready to try and get three points."

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Birmingham

With Luke O'Nien likely to be available, Sunderland may revert back to a back four for this one.

Patrick Roberts will probably be recalled too, with Alex Pritchard the most likely to drop out.

Sunderland predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin; Neil, Ekwah; Roberts, Amad, Clarke; Gelhardt