This weekend Sunderland will take on Watford, in what is the final home game of the season. The Lads are currently in the thick of a playoff charge, so winning is crucial.
WATFORD
The Hornets have had a really underwhelming season, with many people predicting them to gain automatic promotion. Instead they currently sit 13th with 59 points. Many fans have voiced their frustrations with the Pozzo’s, especially after the constant chopping and changing of head coaches. Watford started the season with Rob Edwards at the helm, and despite the board saying they will give him time, they sacked him after only 10 Championship games. Slaven Bilic was his replacement, and despite the Croatian winning 10 out of his 26 games in charge, he was sacked after less than six months in charge. Watford then appointed Chris Wilder as head coach until the end of the season, the Hornets have been in free fall ever since.
Joao Pedro is their current top scorer, the Brazilian has scored 11 league goals so far this season. They have an average possession stat of 53.2%, which is above average. Chris Wilder has been playing the 4-1-4-1 formation.
As a whole, Watford have really under achieved this season, but they still do pose a threat. They have some good players for this level that can punish us. Ismaila Sarr hasn’t been as good as many people thought he’d be this season, but he still has 10 goals and seven assists. Personally, I think they have been the Chelsea of the Championship.
SUNDERLAND
One team that hasn’t underachieved this season is Sunderland, with Mowbray’s side currently sitting in 6th place despite all the injuries. We have been great lately, and the Lads have been defying the odds. However, there are still two big games to go and we will probably have to pick up at least four points if we want to finish in the playoffs.
However, one bit of news that has really surprised Sunderland fans this week is everything surrounding Francesco Farioli. Earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano reported that Sunderland were one of a few clubs who were considering appointing Francesco Farioli as head coach.
Tony Mowbray has done really well this season, and many people are surprised that the club would consider replacing him. Mowbray has since responded to the speculation, and he was clear that he had been football long enough for news like this to not unnerve him.
MY PREDICTION
My prediction for this match is a 2-1 Sunderland win. I’m going to back the Lads for this one, Watford have been really poor recently. Not to mention, they don’t really have much to play for, so they could be on the beach. Joe Gelhardt and Jack Clarke will score for us, and Ismaila Sarr will score for Watford. As long as we stay well organised we should be fine. However, that’s not to say that Watford couldn’t get a result. We need to remain switched on.
MY PREDICTED SUNDERLAND 11 (FORMATION 4-2-3-1)
1 Anthony Patterson, 3 Dennis Cirkin, 13 Luke O’Nien, 32 Trai Hume, 11 Lynden Gooch, 24 Dan Neil, 25 Edouard Michut, 16 Amad Diallo, 10 Patrick Roberts, 20 Jack Clarke, 28 Joe Gelhardt
MY PREDICTED WATFORD 11 (FORMATION 4-1-4-1)
1 Daniel Bachmann, 57 Ryan Andrews, 22 Ryan Porteous, 27 Christian Kabasele, 14 Hassane Kamara, 25 Leandro Bacuna, 23 Ismaila Sarr, 6 Imran Louza, 11 Ismael Kone, 12 Ken Sema, 11 Joao Pedro.
