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Sunderland
Championship | Gameweek 31
Feb 10, 2024 at 3pm UK
Stadium of Light
Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland
3 - 1
Plymouth

Ekwah (52'), Clarke (59'), Bellingham (67')
Ba (10')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Hardie (39')
Whittaker (24'), Phillips (33'), Mumba (44'), Gyabi (69'), Sorinola (87')

Preview: Sunderland vs. Plymouth Argyle - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Sunderland and Plymouth Argyle, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sunderland square off against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that may move the club back into the Championship playoff places.

The Black Cats currently sit in eighth spot in the table at a time when Plymouth make the trip to the Stadium of Light in 15th position.


Match preview

Sunderland manager Michael Beale on January 1, 2024© Reuters

Michael Beale would have gone into last weekend's Tees-Wear derby knowing that a win over Middlesbrough would have gone some way to winning over Sunderland's fanbase.

Instead, Beale had to make do with a comeback draw at the Riverside Stadium, taking him to 11 points from eight games since his arrival in the North East.

While that return is below expectations, it has been enough to keep Sunderland in the mix for promotion, with just four points separating them from fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion.

Of all the teams in contention for the playoffs, Sunderland have the most favourable run of fixtures on paper, facing no team in the top eight until March 5.

Nevertheless, we are at the stage of the season when teams lower down the standings are fighting for survival, as has been the case with Plymouth under Ian Foster.

Losing Steven Schumacher to Stoke City was deemed to be a blow at the time, but it has brought a new lease of life to Argyle with a hatful of fresh faces.

Back-to-back victories have been posted against Cardiff City and Swansea City in the Championship, taking Plymouth up to the dizzy heights of 15th spot after promotion from League One in 2022-23.

Although Plymouth went down 4-1 to Leeds United in the FA Cup fourth round on Tuesday, that setback will not dent confidence and enthusiasm surrounding what has been an excellent comeback campaign to the second tier.

A run of three successive fixtures at Home Park follow this game, the location for three quarters of Plymouth's points, but they will be desperate to build on finally ending their 14-game winless streak on the road last week.

Sunderland Championship form:


Sunderland form (all competitions):


Plymouth Argyle Championship form:


Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):



Team News

Plymouth Argyle head coach Ian Foster reacts on January 27, 2024© Reuters

Having scored Sunderland's equaliser against Boro, Nazarii Rusyn will expect to be handed a recall down the middle of the attack.

Patrick Roberts is also pushing for an opportunity after recovering from injury, while Daniel Ballard is expected to shake off a knock.

As for Plymouth, the likes of Darko Gyabi, Adam Forshaw and Alfie Devine should all return after being ineligible for the FA Cup tie with Leeds.

Lino Sousa is also pushing for a place in the starting lineup after Plymouth signed the former Arsenal youngster on loan from Aston Villa.

Michael Cooper and Jordan Houghton will both miss out for the visitors due to injury.


Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Hjelde; Neil; Ba, Ekwah, Bellingham, Clarke; Rusyn

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Phillips, Gibson, Galloway; Mumba, Gyabi, Forshaw, Miller; Whittaker, Devine; Hardie


SM words green background

We say: Sunderland 2-2 Plymouth Argyle

Although Sunderland are the marginal favourites for this contest, it feels as though they are playing a resurgent Plymouth at the wrong time. With their new signings back in the side, we expect the Pilgrims to earn a share of the spoils in an entertaining tussle.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Sunderland vs Plymouth

Sunderland
44.4%
Draw
33.3%
Plymouth Argyle
22.2%
36
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


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