**Official Pre-Match Thread - Sunderland v City**

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

Yet another massive, season-defining game.....  

We should have beaten them comfortably at CCS when Kerslake was in temporary charge, but we went all defensive and let them pinch a draw. That said, that performance and the following one away to Arsenal, in the wake of Malky's departure, were two of the most spiritied efforts we have seen this season.

If we can raise our game to those levels again on Sunday, then there is no reason why we can't get the result we need. Sunderland are also scrapping for their lives, so it could be a cracker or a nail-biter, cliff-hanger etc etc.......

Bellamy for Kimbo, otherwise the same lineup for me.

Marshall

KTC Caulker Cala Fabio

Daehli Mutch Medel Whitts Bellamy

Campbell

1 - 0 to City, with Zaha making a significant contribution in the second half........  

[*** G L O V E S ***National Legend]

The reverse fixture was the low point of the season for me. Forget heavy home defeats, throwing away two goals in the manner we did was sickening.

Draw is not good enough; I'm going with 1-2.

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

Also worth noting the matches of our opponents.

Fulham are at home to Hull, and Hull could do a massive favour by beating them

Norwich are away to Man United, so we need Giggs to hit the floor running.

West Brom are at home to West Ham, who are difficult to break down.

The way I see it, Norwich HAVE to lose. If they win it will put us 5 points away from safety, which is quite possibly too much considering our run in. We also need Fulham to start losing consistently.

[Arkay DubyaGlobal Superstar]

Urrrgh.

That is all.

[G-sterClub Legend]

It's the hope that kills me.
Sod it, 1-0 win.
Rorke's Drift rather than the humiliating fall of Singapore please!

[*** G L O V E S ***National Legend]

That's why I was so down after our draw against Stoke. Norwich need to win one of their three games (at the most). They face a midtable Man United, a Champions League-focused Chelsea, and an Arsenal side who could very well have nothing to play for on the final day.

West Brom are as good as safe for me with their GD and fixtures.

That leaves Fulham who have a nice run-in. Three points tomorrow will be huge, but only half the challenge.

[Tans TacheNational Legend]

CARDIFF CITY '

Cardiff City will be backed by over 1,200 fans who will have made the 12hr round journey.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could again stick with the same lineup after a draw that could have easily been another win at home to Stoke last time out.

Andrew Taylor is still carrying a knock and may miss out again.

Craig Bellamy sat out last week die to illness but should be ok to return.

Mark Hudson and Craig Noone are both ruled out.

Only Norwich City (eight) have taken fewer away points this season than Cardiff City (10).

Cardiff are the only team yet to concede an own goal in the Premier League this season.

Cardiff City are the only team in Premier League history (46 teams in total) never to receive a red card.

The Bluebirds have conceded more goals from counter-attacks than any other side this season (8)


' SUNDERLAND '


Sunderland are expecting a crowd off over 40,000 for what is a must win game for either team.


Gus Poyet has Phil Bardsley back from suspension but may choose to stick with the team he fielded at Chelsea after picking up a memorable win.

That could mean Santiago Vergini retains his spot at right-back.

Connor Wickham is carrying a knock but should recover in time to start.

Connor Wickham has scored three goals in his last two PL appearances after netting just one in his first 37.

Sunderland have conceded more than any other side in 2013-14 (6).

Sunderland have scored as many goals in the past two Premier League games (4) as in their previous eight outings.

Sunderland are the only team to have played fewer than 500 Premier League games but have more than 50 red cards (53 in total). They lead the division this season with seven.

Sunderland have failed to score in five of their last eight Premier League home games.

Sunderland have taken only eight points from 15 games against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, 10 fewer than any other side. They have scored just one goal in six home games against the teams currently in the bottom half.







Last 5 meetings:-
11 Dec 2004----Cardiff City 0-2 Sunderland----League Championship
26 Feb 2005----Sunderland 2-1 Cardiff City----League Championship
31 Oct 2006----Sunderland 1-2 Cardiff City----League Championship
31 Mar 2007----Cardiff City 0-1 Sunderland----League Championship
28 Dec 2013----Cardiff City 2-2 Sunderland----Premier League

Referee:-
Phil Dowd

Fact:-
On the day of the game, it will be exactly 35 years and one day since Cardiff beat Sunderland 1-2 away, on April 28th, 1979.

Prediction:-
Not feeling very positive about the game BUT im still going to back us for the win 2-1 city   

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

I don't know about everyone else, but I've deliberately buried myself in work today so I don't have time to sit and follow football results. I can't bare staring at the BBC website knowing a win for Norwich pretty much consigns us to relegation before we even play. It's a damn good thing that the whole of May is going to be pretty busy for me too, for the same reason.

[*** G L O V E S ***National Legend]

I don't know about everyone else, but I've deliberately buried myself in work today so I don't have time to sit and follow football results. I can't bare staring at the BBC website knowing a win for Norwich pretty much consigns us to relegation before we even play. It's a damn good thing that the whole of May is going to be pretty busy for me too, for the same reason.

My first Saturday afternoon of 2014 off work, and City ain't even playing! Typical.


Though not directly involving us, Everton are 2-0 down to Norwich which is bad news for us. Arsenal will travel on Norwich on the final day with nothing to play for.

[Arkay DubyaGlobal Superstar]

No work Gloves? Sounds like a PS4 day to me   

I thought Everton were playing Southampton today?

[Tans TacheNational Legend]

they are

[Tyrion TannisterGlobal Superstar]

Nice one gloves...

I genuinely just fist bumped the air when I saw hull had equalised late against Fulham. I forgot I was sat in the car at the time and thought I might've broken my hand for about 30 seconds. Worth it.

[TDAGlobal Superstar]

That result will seem like a loss to Fulham. Now let's hope that Man Utd can give Norwich a good stuffing.

Just noticed that Villa have sunk like a stone and are in touching distance. Who do they still have to play?

[Arkay DubyaGlobal Superstar]

That result will seem like a loss to Fulham.   Now let's hope that Man Utd can give Norwich a good stuffing.

Just noticed that Villa have sunk like a stone and are in touching distance.  Who do they still have to play?

Home to Hull, away to Man City and then Spurs. Not easy and they are in disarray right now.

None of this matters a jot UNLESS we beat Sunderland tomorrow. No excuses, no second chances. This is it if you ask me.

[Arkay DubyaGlobal Superstar]

they are

Creme de la creme of Welsh journalists    

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