Sports
MATCH PREVIEW – Sunderland AFC VS Lincoln City: Black Cats go top with win
Sunderland welcome relegation-threatened Lincoln City to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening knowing that a win would take them to the top of League One.
Lee Johnson’s side have been in free-flowing goalscoring form, scoring 11 goals in their previous 3 games, including the 5-0 demolition of Sheffield Wednesday last time out at home.
The Black Cats have a fantastic home record winning ten of their twelve battles one Wearside and are currently on a 10 game unbeaten run.
Sunderland faced a tough fixture last time out, drawing 3-3 away at Wycombe in a top of the table clash. The away side scored in the closing stages and thought they had claimed all three points before conceding in the 99th minute as the hosts rescued a late point.
Ross Stewart scored another two goals at Adams Park, the Scottish frontman having now netted 17 times in 25 league appearances this season, making him the leading goalscorer in League One.
Despite having played more games than most of their promotion rivals, the Black Cats can lay down a huge marker in the race to the Championship on Tuesday evening with a win over Lincoln. The hosts are one of the favourites for the automatic places and have all the momentum heading into the second half of the season.
Johnson’s side still have key games against Wigan and Rotherham coming up in the next couple of months but face six games in the next eight against teams in the bottom half of the table, knowing that if they continue their unbeaten form they will have some much-needed momentum for the crunch games ahead.
Sunderland edged the Papa John’s trophy meeting between the two sides back in October, winning 2-1 at the Sincil Bank Stadium courtesy of goals from Dan Neil and Stephen Wearne.
Meanwhile, Lincoln only moved outside of the relegation zone at the weekend, getting the better of promotion contenders Oxford United. The Imps (nicknamed after the legend of the Lincoln Imp) would have expected to continue their fine form from last season which saw them agonisingly miss out on a place in the Championship after their League One play-off loss.
However, Michael Appleton’s side have struggled to find any sort of form this term and face a battle for survival for the remainder of the season. The side earned an unexpected victory over Oxford to move Appleton’s team outside of the bottom four, ending a seven-game winless streak in the process.
Given the players at his disposal, Appleton will be confident that Lincoln will eventually move clear of any danger, but they require more performances like the one at Sincil Bank at the weekend.
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TEAM NEWS
Sunderland will be without midfielder Corry Evans, who will have to sit out after suffering a head injury at Wycombe. Johnson has suggested that none of his other sidelined players will return, as Jack Diamond is likely to be named a substitute once again on Tuesday evening.
Denver Hume is available but expected to have a place on the bench.
Bailey Wright is also a doubt after missing the weekend draw in Buckinghamshire, whilst Aiden O’Brien is being monitored as he recovers from Covid-19. Thorben Hoffmann, Lee Burge and Leon Dajaku are also among those who are likely to be absent following positive Covid tests before the weekend.
Anthony Patterson will start in goal once again. Lee Johnson gave an update this morning:
“All we can do is pray, really. I don’t think we’ll have any injuries back, but I’m not sure. Maybe Aiden O’Brien can play a part, we’ll just have to see. The boys have got to recover, and we go again. We’re on the right path, we keep going, we stay strong, and we’ll keep trying to improve.”
Lincoln defender Lewis Montsma sustained a knee injury against Oxford, leading to Lasse Sorensen having to deputise in a deeper position than usual. Fellow central defenders Joe Walsh (quad) and Adam Jackson (concussion) remain out, with Regan Poole and TJ Eyoma set partner each other at Sunderland on Tuesday.
Given the club’s injury list, midfielder Sorensen may line up in that role on Tuesday, while Anthony Scully will be assessed after making his first start since November 20.
Michael Appleton is ready to recall Max Melbourne from his loan spell at Stevenage amid Lincoln City’s centre-back shortage. With no back-up in the heart of defence, Melbourne looks set to rejoin the club, although it may only be a short-term solution.
POTENTIAL LINE-UPs
SAFC: LCFC:
Pre-match thoughts? Score predictions? Will Johnson’s side go top of League One?
Join in the conversation and have your say…
footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.
They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’
Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..
Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.
What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.
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Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter
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Amazon Prime are currently filming behind-the-scenes footage at Newcastle United for a new documentary.
The docu-series will provide an insight into the club and its efforts to secure a top-four finish and a piece of silverware in the 2022-23 season.
Reports today revealed that camera crews have been filming a four-part documentary for their All or Nothing series. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirmed that the series will cover the club and the new owners as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League and win a trophy.
The All or Nothing series has previously documented other Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Spurs as well as the Brazilian national team, Juventus, and the All Blacks of rugby.
Something I mentioned last night on @tfNUFC: Camera crews have been filming behind-the-scenes at Newcastle United for a four-part documentary to be shown on Amazon.
The series will chart the club & its owners as they attempt to win a trophy & qualify for The Champ League #NUFC— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 8, 2023
Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 at Wembley.
🗓️ 26.02.23@ManUtd 🆚 @NUFC #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/V23zWPDoxP
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 1, 2023
The Magpies have featured three times in Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Most recently in the 2003-04 season as they reached the third qualifying round, eventually losing on penalties to Serbian side FK Partizan.
The season before the Toon finished third in the 2002-03 Champions League group stages, winning twice against Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Inter Milan 2-2 at the San Siro. The lineup that night; Given, Solano, O’Brien, Dyer, Shearer (C), Bellamy, Speed, Griffin, Hughes, Dabizas and Viana.
The series is expected to air later this year and will be available on Amazon Prime.
Based on previous seasons, you can expect exclusive access to training sessions, team meetings and match days, giving fans an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis at Newcastle United.
It is set to be an incredible storyline and one that should provide fans with some real insight into what it takes to compete at the top level of professional football.
What do you think Newcastle fans?
Does this excite you or do you stand more with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who once said the cameras could be intrusive to the dressing room when he turned down the offer from Amazon In 2018?
Join the conversation on our Facebook page…
Everton have made a £40million bid with £5m in add-ons to sign Connor Gallagher from Chelsea.
This comes after Newcastle completed the signing of Anthony Gordon, the club’s second most expensive transfer behind Alexander Isak.
Everton received an initial fee of £40m plus add-ons that could increase the deal to £45m.
EXCL: Everton have submitted a bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. It’s £40m proposal plus £5m add ons. 🚨🔵 #EFC
Chelsea will make a decision soon as there are also other clubs interested in Gallagher — and player has to decide his future too. pic.twitter.com/xZeuGqaR01
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023
The Toffees currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are looking to reinvest the money from the Gordon deal to sign much-needed players under newly appointed manager Sean Dyche.
But, multiple sources have reported today that Gallagher is not actively pushing for a move and has no intention of going to Goodison Park. However, with Chelsea having met the record-breaking €120m release clause for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher may be forced to leave the club if the transfer is complete.
🚨| Conor Gallagher is not interested in a move to Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CYzXjBoBd
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 30, 2023
This leaves Newcastle an option as the player would prefer a move to a top-six club.
This morning, Eddie Howe said, “We’ll see what we can do to try & bring a player in. There’s no guarantees. In terms of permanent signings, it will be very difficult. We’ll look at a potential loan. But it’s got to be the right player & not one for the sake of it”.
Due to financial fair play, the only way Newcastle could sign the player is through a loan, with an obligation to buy the player for at least £45m, the same price they paid for Anthony Gordon.
Gallagher has been playing regular Premier League football over the last two seasons. Since returning to his parent club Chelsea, the 22-year-old has been linked with a move away to numerous Premier League clubs.
Last season he was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season by their fans. He also won the Player of the Month award twice, Goal of the Month once, and was awarded the Young Player of Year at the 2022 London Football Awards.
In the same season, he made 36 appearances scoring eight goals and registering three assists that earned Palace a 12th-place finish, one point behind Newcastle.
Have Your Say!
Would you want Newcastle to sign Conor Gallagher?
Does he start?
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