Sunderland V Man Utd Preview

Sunderland have built a reputation of beating the big teams on their own patch, and this is the one we all want to happen the most.

Sunderland, who head into this game unbeaten in the last four league games, will look to continue their great home form to upset Sir Alex on Saturday afternoon.

Steve Bruce has not managed to beat his former boss as a manager in fifteen attempts but will hope his luck will change this weekend.

Man Utd will still be tired from their European victory on Wednesday and also have some key players missing with Rooney, Scholes and Giggs all missing the game.

If this is the time to beat Utd we have to try and take our chance!

Vital Quotes: Lee Cattermole

‘We have built our home form up, and have made the Stadium of Light a bit of a fortress,’ said Cattermole.

‘People know they’re in for a tough game when they come up here.
‘United have had a tough week, playing Bolton last Saturday and then travelling to Valencia midweek.

‘Meanwhile, we’ve been working hard in training, and if we take the same attitude we did against Liverpool that will stand us in good stead.

‘United have a great squad full of world-class players, so we have to go into the game with the right attitude.

‘If we match the runners and do everything we need to do as part of a Premier League game, then we can get something.

‘We just need to keep doing what we have been doing.

‘We’ve had a number of big games now – Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool – and we’ve taken points from all of them.

‘So now when we go away to the teams around us – like Blackburn Rovers coming up – we need to go there with a tough mentality and get a result.

‘I think we’re addressing the away form. Everyone’s attitude has been better, and we’re a lot tougher as a team.’

Sunderland Team News:

Sunderland will not risk Craig Gordon and rely on the form of Simon Mignolet in goal.

Mensah and Richardson will not be back for this game but look to be involved after the international break.

Danny Welbeck will not feature as he cannot play against his parent club so this may allow either Riveros or Gyan to replace him in midfield.

Player to watch: Cattermole

After a rocky opening four games, Lee came back to show why he is so valuable for Sunderland after an amazing display at Anfield last week.

Cattermole ran the midfield against Gerrard and will be looking to do the same against Fletcher and Carrick this weekend.

Man Utd Team News:

Man Utd will not risk playing Wayne Rooney, who has been trying his best to convince Fergie to start him against us.

Ferguson will also decide late on the fitness of both Ferdinand and Carrick before picking his eleven.

Player to watch: Berbatov

After the awful start to the season from Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov has stepped up to become the new Utd legend up front.

After his stunning hat trick against rivals Liverpool he will be looking to notch another against Sunderland to keep their title push going.

Match Facts & Stats

Steve Bruce’s side have only lost at home once in their last 13 league matches – and that was to Manchester United.

Darren Bent has scored an impressive eight goals in 10 games against the ‘big four’ sides in the Premier League since he moved to Sunderland.

Manchester United have conceded 599 Premier League goals.

Ref Watch:

Referee: Chris Foy

Assistant referees: Andy Garratt & Andy Madley

Fourth official: Paul Tierney

Match Prediction:

Sunderland 1 – 1 Man Utd

I have got my last few predictions correct and I firmly believe we can keep our strong form going against Utd.

As long as we can keep it tight at the back and Bramble and Turner can continue where they left off we have a chance to get something.

The fans need to be supportive and patient and see if our players can repeat the standard of football we seen last weekend.

Next Fixtures: Blackburn (A)

Sunderland face Blackburn away on 18th Oct