AFTER SATURDAY’S postponement, Sunderland finally return the Stadium of Light for the first time since the dramatic climax to last season.
It already seems an age since the Black Cats held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates on the opening day, with tonight’s opponents Morecambe having already played four league and cup matches.
Jim Bentley’s side provided one of the shocks of the first round of the Capital One Cup, beating Championship high-flyers Blackpool 2-1 at Bloomfield Road; goals from Lewis Alessandra and Andy Fleming did the damage for the Shrimps.
Lee Cattermole on Morecambe:
“If we’d have played on Saturday the gaffer might have changed things up, but now I’m not so sure.’
“We’re going to have to wait and see what he thinks is best. At the end of the day we want to stay in the cup.’
Source: safc.com
Sunderland Team News:
Wes Brown and Phil Bardsley are both definitely missing for Martin O’Neill who could name a strong XI after not playing at the weekend.
New signings Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher look likely to make their first appearances in the red and white stripes.
Player to watch: Steven Fletcher:
The £14m hitman looks likely to make his long-awaited Black Cat’s bow after his protracted move from Wolves this summer.
Signed to score goals, the former Scottish international bagged over 20 in two seasons at Molineux and will be looking to repeat that trick on Wearside.
Morecambe Team News:
Shrimps boss Bentley will be gunning for another cup upset and should name his strongest available XI.
Andy Fleming has three goals already in the league & cup this season whilst Richard Brodie opened his account for the club recently. Both should start.
Player to watch: Richard Brodie:
Prolific during his time with York City, the 25 year-old has since turned out for Crawley Town and Fleetwood before moving to the Globe Arena on-loan this summer.
Fifty-four goals in 98 starts helped the 5’11 forward make his name with York in the Conference but a move to Crawley two years ago yielded ‘just’ 11 in 25. Since then it’s been a nomadic existence for the forward.
Predicted line-ups:
Sunderland:
Westwood
Gardner O’Shea Cuellar Richardson
Larsson Cattermole Colback McClean
Sessegnon
Fletcher
Morecambe:
Roche
Fenton McCready Parrish Threlfall
Wright Ellison Drummand Fleming
Alessandra Brodie
Ref Watch:
Mr R Madley
Assistants: Mr P Curry & Mr A Greenwood
Fourth Official: Mr R Joyce
Match Prediction:
A comfortable 3-0 win for the Black Cats who’ll forget their goalscoring problems and enjoy a Steven Fletcher goal on debut, hopefully.
Next Fixtures:
01.08.12 Swansea City (A)
