Sunderland Vs Cardiff

Sunderland entertain top of the table Cardiff hoping to continue a run of back to back wins…

Vital Quotes:

Stand-in captain Dwight Yorke: ‘It’s a chance for us to make a statement after a couple of good results. I fully believe we can be a force at the Stadium of Light. I don’t think we will have a problem at home.

‘I’m playing in the middle and I’m also the captain so it’s up to me to make sure I do my job and everyone around me does their job.’

Cardiff strike Michael Chopra: ‘We need to get back to winning ways and it would mean so much to me to score against Sunderland.

‘When you grow up on the streets of Newcastle, those are the games you dream of playing in.

‘To get the chance to play against Sunderland for Cardiff is great and I’ll be extremely happy if I score.’

Sunderland Team News:

With Ross Wallace beginning a two match suspension, Tobias Hysen will get another chance to impress boss Roy Keane on the left side of midfield. Other than that, Keane is not expected to change much with Stephen Elliot, Graham Kavanagh and Steve Caldwell still unlikely to be involved.

Player to watch: Dwight Yorke

After reverting to a deeper role in midfield, the stand in captain has really started to show his class. This is a big game and Sunderland will certainly need Yorke on top form to gain anything from it.

Cardiff City Team News:

Glenn Loovens is Cardiff’s only injury worry, with the defender having picked up a facial injury at home to Norwich on Saturday.

Player to watch: Michael Chopra

The young striker has been a revelation since joining from Newcastle in the summer, and the lad from Tyneside will be hoping to net once again at the Stadium of Light, having scored in last season’s 4-1 derby loss to Newcastle.

Match Prediction:

This is really a test of how Sunderland will get on this season. A win would mean talk of automatic promotion would not be that of fantasy, and a decent draw would allow hopes of the play-offs to be intact. A defeat is not the end of the world, but Sunderland need to get a good run going in order to climb the table. 1-1