Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Millwall FC– Saturday 3th December 2022 - KO 12:30

Last time out in the League, Sunderland beat Birmingham and Millwall beat Preston.
Sunderland welcome Millwall to the Stadium of Light in the Championship.
Following the 2-1 win against Birmingham City, the Lads had a three week break from the fixture schedule, which included a week long warm weather training camp where recovering players continued to work their way back to full fitness. The Black Cats beat Saudi side Al Shabab in a not so friendly game.
Millwall had a great result at Preston with Zian Flemming scoring a hat-trick in a 4-2 away win and the Lions moved into a play-off place. Former Black Cat, George Honeyman is expected to start on his return to the Stadium of Light.
Tony Mowbray:
“It’s good that the team are starting to come back really” said the Black Cats head coach. “There are some pretty big footballers for our club unavailable.
“I think that the players deserve great credit for digging in and trying to find a way to win football matches. When you’ve got no strikers, you have to find a way.”
Dennis Cirkin was missing for the win at St Andrews through injury, but he is also expected to return to full fitness in time for their first game back in the Sky Bet Championship, whilst Dan Ballard faces a longer road to recovery.
“Cirkin has got a calf problem. I think that it is two weeks so I would hope by Millwall on 3rd December he will be back. (Dan) Ballard is going to be touch and go. It will probably be too soon for him by early December."
Gary Rowett:
“Benik has got that star quality when he gets in and around the goal. That’s why he usually starts most of the games for us. He did the same last year, started a little bit slowly.
“Today he came on with the bit between his teeth. He won headers, held the ball for us he looked like that real number nine you want to see.
“When he gets into those areas he’s got that little bit of ability to beat people and dink it over the oncoming defender and keeper. It was a great finish.”

Match Appointments:
Referee: TIM ROBINSON
Assistant Referees: Andrew Fox & Liam Cooper
Fourth Official: Leigh Doughty

Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: (4-2-3-1) Patterson, Cikin, Alese, Batth, Huggins, Neil, Evans, Pritchard, Clarke, Omad, Simms.

Subs: Bass, O’Nien, Matete, Embleton, Michut, Roberts, Dajaku
Injured: Ballard, Stewart

Millwall (3-4-3): Long, Cresswell, Cooper, Wallace, Shackleton, Mitchell, Saville, Styles, Flemming, Bradshaw, Voglsammer.
Subs: Bialkowski, McNamara, Malone, Evans, Hutcinson, Honeyman,
Injured: Afobe, Burey, Leonard, Bennett

Betting Odds:
Sunderland 8/5 Millwall 9/5 Draw 11/5

Prutton Predicts: meh


My two pence:
Hopefully the 3 weeks off was enough for some of the injured players to recover, Aji Alese seemed to be back on track so I expect him to start.
A tough game, but I’m going for a 2-1 home win.

Live Stream:

It's Live on Sky Sports Football.

Ha’way the Lads

 

Cracking thread as always @RTB

Can't wait for this, seems ages since we played. Agree with the team you have put up as well, looks strong to me.

3 - 0 to the lads, Baath, Simms and Clarke

 

We need to look out for Fleming, hes a quality player.
Millwall fans call him the Bermondsey Iniesta

 

RTB

Stewart not back, but if rumours are to be believed he may be sold in January anyhow.

Simms up front then and the bench with a couple of injury returnees.

All games are tough, but I fancy us to start improving our home record, we may score a set piece goal?

 

I fancy a comfy 2-0 win, dunno why but I just do.

Bart

 

Ballard and Stewart were training with the team today. I'd hope to see both of them on the bench. I like the team that @RTB has posted, be interesting to see the bench

 

Yeessssss. Proper football is back, and it's liiiivveee. Seems like a lifetime since I've been in the SoL, can't wait for this one. Fancy us to win 3-1. Marvellous stuff RTB as always.

 

Yep - back to cold weather training.

 

Cannot wait, 2-0 to the lads

Hhhaaawwwwaaaaayyyyyyy the lads

Cracking thread RTB

 

Our head to heads have been very tight and these are no mugs so expect another tight affair.
Let's see who hits the ground running thanks to this enforced break and it's time we did something special at home. Home win would be nice HTL.

 

Looking forward to Saturday. Millwall are poor away from home and it’s a game we can definitely win if we aren’t too cautious… Ha’way the lads.

 

It's a shame Ballard wont make this game. They are quite a big team Millwall with really big CBs that like to get forward for corners and freekicks so we need plenty of height at the back for set pieces.
I agree with RTB's lineup, Onien will need to sit out of this one.

 

Hopefully TM is playing mind games and Ross starts. If so a repeat of the 6-0, late 70s I believe. If he isn't playing a mere 4-1 to the cuddlies.

Cheers RTB good to be back with proper footy.

 

That may have been on Saturday 9.12.95, which was my youngest daughter's debut when Craig Russell scored 4 and became her favourite player, Gil

 

Great thread @RTB
It will be a tough one but I fancy a win

Hawaaaaaay

 

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/spor...-working-on-to-combat-millwall-threat-3937626

 

Great thread RTB. Thanks. Great to be back and hopefully the lads are refreshed and put on a great performance. Fancy they will do that . Home win for me.

 

Fantastic as always I’m back for this one and really looking forward to it, Millwall are no mugs and will be a good test I’m going for a hard fought 2-1 to the lads COME ON