Sunderland are live on Sky Sports on Friday night when they take on Sheffield United in a promotion crunch match in the Championship.
Sunderland and Sheffield United meet in what’s going to be an exciting and hard-fought battle under the lights at Bramall Lane, with both teams looking to take the top spot off of Leeds United.
A win for either the Black Cats or the Blades will see them move into 1st place of the Championship table. Right now, Sunderland are in 4th and two points behind Leeds whilst Sheffield United are joint-top, behind Leeds on goal difference.
Regis Le Bris watched Sunderland draw 0-0 against West Brom in midweek. That’s now five-straight draws for the Black Cats who remain unbeaten in 10, whilst the Blades thumped Oxford United 3-0 in midweek, going six games unbeaten.
Sam Parkin shares Sheffield United vs Sunderland score prediction
Speaking on the Championship Check-In podcast, EFL pundit Sam Parkin has given his verdict on Friday night’s clash between United and Sunderland.
He said: “It should be good, this. Sheffield United have been motoring haven’t they, recently, especially at Bramall Lane where they are formidable.
“I think my kind of, go-to question mark, if you like, has just been about that front-line, and how it’s going to really knit together; how they’re going to find their rhythm, are they going to have continuity in selection?
“Well, I really enjoyed some of the moves [vs Oxford United], especially the one for [Tyrese] Campbell, the other day.”
Parkin added: “They’re clicking into gear and I’ll have to side with them here,” before predicting a 2-0 Sheffield United win.
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Chris Wilder hails unlikely Sunderland star ahead of clash
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder gave his thoughts on Sunderland, hailing one unlikely player.
Wilder spoke fondly of Sunderland no.2 goalkeeper Simon Moore who used to play for Sheffield United, and who has featured four times in the Championship this season after the previous injury to Anthony Patterson.
The Blades boss said: “[Moore] was one of our early signings and he was outstanding in League One and, just as a general person and character, he’s brilliant.”
For the game on Friday, Le Bris has a near-full strength squad to pick from, though Sunderland full-back Dennis Cirkin is set to miss Sheffield United as he recovers from surgery on a broken wrist.
Kick off is at 8pm and the game will be shown live on Sky Sports.