Match Preview: Sunderland U21 vs Wolves U21

Yesterday at 07:58 AM

Sunderland U21s will host Wolves U21s at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground on Monday night in a bid to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier league Cup. 

Last time out: 

Sunderland triumphed to a 3-2 victory away at Huddersfield on Tuesday night in the Premier League Cup, picking up their first three points in their group. A double from Aaron Connolly and another goal from Tom Watson secured victory for The Black Cats.

Opponents Wolves were on the end of a 3-0 defeat to Wrexham in the EFL trophy last time out conceding goals from Lewis Brunt, Paul Mullin and Mo Faal. 

Previous meetings:

Last time Sunderland hosted Wolves they comfortably beat the visitors 4-1 at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground. 

Wolves took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Nathan Fraser however a stellar second-half comeback saw goals from Ben Middlemas, Watson, Timur Tuterov and Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi secure the three points for Sunderland.

Sunderland completed the double over Wolves last year also beating them 2-1 in the away fixture, courtesy of goals from Watson and Marshall Burke with Tawanda Chirewa getting the goal for Wolves.

Team News:

Sunderland come into the game with only one injury concern as Jenson Jones was brought off early against Huddersfield. Players such as Connolly, Watson and Abdoullah Ba who have recently starred for Sunderland U21s during the international break may be selected to play with the first team as they travel to Hull on Sunday.

Wolves U21s come into this game having not played for almost two weeks with no injury concerns or suspensions meaning head coach James Collins has a fully fit squad to pick from for Monday nights encounter.

Players to watch:

It is difficult to pick from Sunderland’s young group who the player to watch could be for this week, with the assumption that Connolly and Watson may be selected in the first team.

Forward Samuel-Ogunsuyi could be the main threat for The Black Cats. He has just recently returned from the U19 Belgium squad where he started against France in a friendly. In his most recent game before the international break for Sunderland, he netted twice against Lyon and will be looking to have a similar contribution on Monday night.

As for Wolves, Matthew Whittingham could be their danger man. The attacking midfielder has featured in all of Wolves’ eight matches this season, notching two assists, and could be the difference if Wolves want to pick up a big result in Sunderland on Monday night.

Kick-off is at 7pm on Monday night and victory could send The Black Cats to the top of their group in the Premier League Cup.