Black Cats' Fans

By The Black Cats
January 8 2009

Sunderland will be taking part in the Tees-Wear derby match this Saturday (3pm kick off) when they make the short tip down the A19 to the Riverside to face Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough. Boro currently lie in 17th place in the league two points behind the Black Cats who are in 15th. A win for Sunderland could see them move up 7 places to tenth in the tables depending how other results pan out.

Sunderland stand in captain Kieran Richardson is a doubt for the game and will be facing a late fitness test.

"Kieran's progressing and we're hoping he will be able to do some light training tomorrow," said Black Cats boss Sbragia.

"We're hoping he'll be OK because he's done exceptionally well this year. He's a good player, he showed that last Saturday - the distance he covers and his quality on the ball."

Sunderland will be hoping that Stewart Downing has a poor game and I think tyis could be the case as he obviously wants to leave Middlesbrough after being unsettled by Old 'Arry Redknapp. We can also hope that the penalty he missed in this fixture earlier in the season will play on his mind too.

Boro are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference after a run of eight matches without a Barclays Premier League win and with Sunderland being in decent form of late Boro could be in trouble.

Sunderland will be missing Craig Gordon and George McCartney through injury, and possibly be without Kieran Richardson if he doesn't pass his late fitness test.

Steed Malbranque looks set to return to the Black Cats side after being rested in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Bolton last weekend.

Michael Chopra may be given a start after returning from Cardiff where he scored 5 goals in 11 appearances for the Bluebirds. Chopra also scored two late goals for Sunderland coming off the bench the last time the two sides met. However with Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cissé in fine goalscoring form he will lucky to be nicluded in the starting lineup.

Sunderland were 2-0 winners at the Stadium of light and will be hoping for a repeat performance in the return fixture in two days time.

I'm going for a 2-0 away win for the Black Cats in this one.

Ha'way the Lads!