Sunderland vs Luton Town: How to watch, team news, recent form, and referee

All you need to know ahead of Sunderland's Sky Bet Championship game against Luton Town.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Publish date:
Mar 17, 2023 4:00 PM EDT

Sunderland welcome Luton Town to the Stadium of Light this weekend in which will be another tough match considering the visitors currently sit amongst the play-off positions.

Last time out, Sunderland suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat at home against Sheffield United, while Luton Town continued their fine form with a 1-0 win at home to Bristol City.

How to watch Sunderland vs Luton Town

When: Saturday 18th March 2023 - Kick-off: 3pm
Where: Stadium of Light
How to watch: SAFC Live
Radio: BBC Newcastle

Team news

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu will be missing for the Hatters on Saturday as he recovers from a knee-injury suffered against Sheffield United.

Sunderland have plenty of injury woes as usual, and will again be without long-term absentees Ross Stewart, Corry Evans, Elliot Embleton and Aji Alese.

Dennis Cirkin is also still unavailable, but Amad Diallo should return and Luke O'Nien is fine after taking a knock midweek.

Last meeting

The two teams last played each other in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 29th October 2022, with the lads earning a 1-1 draw away at Kenilworth road.

The Sunderland goal was scored by Elliot Embleton.

Sunderland team: Patterson, O'Nien, Wright, Batth, Cirkin, Evans, Neil, Dajaku, Pritchard, Clarke, Diallo

Recent form

Sunderland: LLLWL
Luton Town: WDWWW

Head-to-head (last 10 matches)

Sunderland wins: 6
Draws: 3
Luton Town wins: 1

Who is the Referee for Sunderland vs Luton Town

Scott Oldham will take charge of this match and has refereed 37 games over the last 12 months and issuing 28 yellow cards.

He will be assisted by Philip Dermott and Mark Stevens, with Stephen Martin acting as the fourth official.

What the Managers have said

Tony Mowbray knows his side face a real challenge from Luton, but he is confident his young side can compete.

“I think the team is giving everything it’s got, doing its best, I don’t think it’s out of form," he said. "I think it’s competing but when you are playing against good teams it’s difficult to get results.

“I would say Luton have found a way to win football matches recently, I think three 1-0s on the bounce.

“Defensively they are very, very solid, very strong, very powerful and physical at the top end of the pitch. I think they have got along with Burnley the best away record in the league so they make life really difficult.

“They get the ball up pretty quickly to two big strikers, they are athletic, they are strong. It’s a big challenge for us.”

Rob Edwards meanwhile has been keen to credit his players for a great week that has seen them pick up two 1-0 wins against good sides.

“A fantastic week, it’s down to the players and I was trying to make that point when I was out there," he said.

“It’s down to the players, so it’s brilliant, we’ve got a great rapport, brilliant relationship with the supporters, but the lads are the ones going out over the white line and doing it, working incredibly hard for each other and I thought we deserved it.

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Luton Town

Sunderland should thrust Amad Diallo straight back into their side for Abdoullah Ba, who would be unfortunate to drop out.

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Luton Town (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, O'Nien; Neil, Michut; Roberts, Amad, Clarke; Gelhardt