Sunderland vs Luton Town: How to Watch, Team News, Recent Form, Referee

All you need to know ahead of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Luton Town.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Publish date:
May 12, 2023 1:39 PM EDT

Sunderland head into the the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Luton Town on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run, while the Hatters go into the match 14 games unbeaten.

The game is sold out with over 45,000 Sunderland fans due to be in attendance.

Last time out, Sunderland secured a convincing 3-0 win away at Preston North End, while Luton Town played out a goalless draw at home against Hull City.

How to Watch

When: Saturday 13th May 2023, Kick-Off at: 5:30pm

Where: Stadium Of Light

TV: Sky Sports

Radio: BBC Radio Newcastle

Team News

Tony Mowbray explained in his press conference there's a few players who didn't train on Thursday, but didn't say who.

Cauley Woodrow will be missing for Luton Town this weekend after suffering a knee injury against Reading in April.

Last Meeting

The two teams last played each other in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 18th March 2023, with the two sides cancelling each other out in a 1-1 draw.

Sunderland team: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, Batth, O'Nien, Michut, Neil, Roberts, Ba, Clarke, Gelhardt

Recent Form

Sunderland: WDWDW

Luton Town: WDWDD

Head-to-head (last 10 matches)

Sunderland wins: 5

Draws: 4

Luton Town wins: 1

Who is the Referee for Sunderland vs Luton Town?

Tim Robinson will take charge of this match and has refereed 40 matches over the last 12 months and issuing 156 yellow cards.

He will be assisted by Craig Taylor and George Byrne, with Andy Davies acting as the fourth official.

What the managers have said

Tony Mowbray is hoping his side repays the supporters with a good performance on Saturday evening, although acknowledges the threat Luton Town will bring as they finished 11 points above his side.

Mowbray said: "It's going to be awesome being in the semi-finals, we've got to be ready for Luton.

"I think it's going to be a tight game. What are they 14 unbeaten and somebody told me we are nine unbeaten.

"It is going to be tight I think. What I know is that the Stadium Of Light will be bouncing and we've got to try and create an environment which is uncomfortable for Luton.

"We are playing against a team that is very robust, a very strong physical team, that record they will come with a level of confidence.

"We only played them seven or eight weeks ago at home and drew 1-1, tight game.

"I think for us there is a contrast of styles, a contrast of physicality, but we have to play to our strengths on the day, and I'm sure they will be doing exactly the same".

Rob Edwards is excited ahead of the play-offs, but is not trying not to look to far ahead after Luton suffered play-off heartbreak in the semi-finals last season.

Edwards said: "We've got our way to do it and Sunderland have theirs, I'm sure it will be an exciting couple of games, but we're not going up there to just sit, wait and let them come onto us, that's just not how we play. If a draw is a good result, only time will tell, but we're not going up there looking for that at all.

"They're good going forward. They're risk free and go for it and look to attack. We'll have to make sure that we defend really well and do the basics well.

"We'll have to take the most of any chances that we can. We want to make sure that we're well in the tie coming back here on Tuesday night".