Sunderland vs Sheffield United

Updates from the Stadium of Light as Tony Mowbray's Black Cats take on the second-placed Blades in tonight's Championship encounter.

The duo missed the [Black Cats'](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/sunderland-afc) weekend 1-0 win at Norwich City, with on-loan Manchester United forward [Amad](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/amad-diallo) suffering a hamstring injury in training last week while Pritchard had also picked up a minor knock. And he says he felt the tension surrounding the last home game played its part as ex-Black Cats boss [Alex Neil](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/alex-neil) returned to Wearside with Stoke City and inflicted a 5-1 defeat on his former employers. Amad has been working with the medical staff but is still not 100 percent, and Mowbray will not risk him against Sheffield United although he is hopeful he will be fit to face the Hatters. [Mowbray](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/tony-mowbray) says Gelhardt is a different type of player to [Ross Stewart](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/ross-stewart) - the man he was brought in to partner but has ended up replacing, with the Scot suffering a season-ending Achilles injury - and that has meant he has had to adapt. [Sunderland](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/sunderland-afc) up to eighth in what is still a tightly-contested promotion race. [Blades](https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/all-about/sheffield-united-fc) have had something of a wobble of late, allowing [Middlesbrough](https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/all-about/middlesbrough-fc) in third to close the gap, and will themselves want to ease any nerves with an away win. [JustGiving page](https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/johnmacphail) from friends, former teammates, and fans of the clubs he played for, with contributions from Sunderland's former owner Sir Bob Murray, York City Past Players' Association, York City Supporters Trust, and Bristol City Supporters' Club, helping push the total to almost £27,000. "It's easier to try and get results when you don't have that expectation," said Mowbray, whose side takes on second-placed Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light tonight. But while goals have been hard to come by, his all-round game has been good and he provided the assist for [Abdoullah Ba](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/abdoullah-ba) in Sunday's 1-0 win at Norwich City, although just a couple of minutes later Gelhardt then failed to convert a gilt-edged chance himself. Tony Mowbray wants Sunderland to avoid the burden of expectation in the Championship run-in - insisting his young players perform better when they are 'carefree'. His family launched a campaign in October to raise £30,000 towards the cost of the adaptations. "Just because he is on loan from Leeds United it doesn't mean he has to play, it's his performance level that is getting him in the team."

Sheffield United travel to the Stadium of Light looking to strengthen their grip on automatic promotion.

Sheffield United's in-house TV channel SUTV Live will also have a live stream available to those supporters living outside of the EFL's broadcast territory. They enter this fixture off the back of four defeats in their last six league games. The game has been chosen for live coverage by Sky Sports. United won this fixture earlier in the season at Bramall Lane, with goals from Anel Ahmedhodzic and Max Lowe sealing a 2-1 win. It's Sunderland who hold the upper hand in this fixture. Enda Stevens is closing in on a return but Rhian Brewster, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Ben Osborn are longer-term absentees.

All you need to know ahead of the Sky Bet Championship clash between Sunderland and Sheffield United.

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele has left fans completely perplexed after turning up to watch Sunderland vs Sheffield United.

[Ousmane Dembele](/ousmane-dembele), [Sunderland](/sunderland), [Barcelona](/barcelona), [Sheffield United](/sheffield-united) [Ousmane Dembele got a standing ovation at the Nou Camp after masterclass, he's turned it around](/football/ousmane-dembele-barcelona-standing-ovation-xavi-hernandez-988616-20230126) [Ousmane Dembele Left Barcelona Squad 'Stunned' With Joke Request After Signing New Deal](/football/ousmane-dembele-left-barcelona-squad-stunned-with-joke-request-20220718) [Ousmane Dembele's appearance in World Cup final could be the worst 41 minutes in football history](/football/ousmane-dembele-world-cup-final-france-argentina-performance-906803-20221218) [Frenkie de Jong dusts Ousmane Dembele in sprint, nobody knew he was this fast](/football/frenkie-de-jong-ousmane-dembele-sprint-barcelona-20220809) Dembele congratulated his pal when they beat Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final to secure promotion to the Championship. And just after half-time, the Sky cameras panned to Dembele in the crowd, sat alongside two people. Sunderland hosted Sheff United in the Championship at the Stadium of Light, with the game shown live on Sky Sports. One might think he'd be at home recovering and yet Dembele was spending his Wednesday night up in the North East of England. Ousmane Dembele spent his Wednesday night watching Sunderland vs Sheffield United in the Championship

Sunderland face Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light – and we've got all the action covered.

Lihadji went down in the box and the home crowd appealed for a penalty. Another City loanee then scored the winner as Tommy Doyle’s free-kick went straight in just after the hour mark. [Manchester City](/topic/manchester-city) loanee James McAtee found space in the box and converted with a low finish.

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele was spotted in the crowd at Sunderland during the Black Cats' crucial Championship showdown with Sheffield United on ...

[Burnley](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/burnley-fc) were the big winners in midweek. [Middlesbrough](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/middlesbrough-fc) in the race for automatic promotion. [Join the debate!](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ousmane-dembele-sunderland-sheffield-united-29470228#comments-section) Who do you think will win promotion to the Premier League this season? Celebrate the biggest racing week of the year- the Cheltenham Festival. One of the most prestigious National Hunt Meetings of the calendar is not to be missed…and we’ve got a bumper week of amazing content and great reader offers. [HERE.](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/pick-winner-your-daily-mirror-29414642) [West Brom](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/west-bromwich-albion-fc) and Norwich held by [Huddersfield](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/huddersfield-town-fc) and [Cardiff](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/cardiff-city-fc) respectively to leave them adrift of the Lions. The Blades, who have faltered in recent weeks, fought back with goals from [Manchester City](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc) loanees James McAteer and Tommy Doyle after Edouard Michut had nudged Sunderland into an early lead. Whilst the Frenchman's presence left fans baffled on social media, there is an explanation for his attendance. [FIFA](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/fifa) president [Gianni Infantino](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/gianni-infantino) was a [surprise guest at The Den earlier this month](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fifa-gianni-infantino-millwall-norwich-29372911), where he took in [Millwall's](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/millwall-fc) clash with [Norwich](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/norwich-city-fc). [League One](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/football-league-one) play-offs back in the summer. [Barcelona](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/fc-barcelona).

The Black Cats fight with the Blades! Catch our Championship League odds series, which features our Sunderland-Sheffield prediction and pick.

Back the visitors to win this one. In 36 matches played in the Championship, the Blades have found the back of the net 56 times, 37 of which coming from assists. Sunderland will surely look to get the best results at home, but Sheffield’s edge on both offense and defense will be seen in this game. In their last six in the Championship, Sheffield was defeated four times. In addition, James McAtee and Anel Ahmedhodžić have six goal involvements for the Blades. However, Billy Sharp, Ciaran Clark, and George Baldock should be careful in picking fouls, as another yellow card will have them suspended for the next games. Anthony Patterson, who has 11 clean sheets and one assist in this campaign, will be the starting goalie for Sunderland. However, the Blades were caught in a rut in their last few games. Sheffield United has been making a remarkable run of their own, ranking second in the league to safely give them a promotion to the Premier League. The Mackems post the 17th-best record when playing at home, earning 23 points out of 17 games played in the Stadium of Light. Jack Clarke leads the team in assists with six, while Ellis Simms and Patrick Roberts have nine goal contributions for the team. Sunderland now ranks 12th in the Championship, earning 52 points from 36 matches played.

Sheffield United remain on course for automatic promotion after a hard-fought Championship victory over Sunderland.

Post update - Home3 - Away11 The Sunderland defence protested, as Berge had clearly been in an offside position, but the goal stood. - Shots He took the pass with a silken touch, feinted, and then stroked the ball into the far corner for a top-class finish.

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light as Tommy Doyle ...

We can't be fearful, we are in a fantastic position in the league and in the quarter-final of the cup." This week could be a huge week in careers for the players and the history of the club, that is what we are playing for. We showed good mentality to get back into it, the energy and bravery we wanted to show. To concede the way we did was a kick in the teeth. We were really bright, brave and sharp with the ball. We scored a really good goal, the timing of their first goal was damaging for us.

TONY Mowbray has named an unchanged starting XI for the game against Sheffield United after the impressive win at Norwich City.

Paul Heckingbottom has made four changes to his Sheffield United team in the back of the home defeat to Luton. [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland) in place of Ellis Taylor but, as expected, the game has come too soon for Amad Diallo, who again misses out. TONY Mowbray has named an unchanged starting XI for the game against Sheffield United after the impressive win at Norwich City.

Why recover from your injury in sunny Barcelona when you could be at the Stadium of Light?That's clearly what Barca forward Ousmane Dembele thought wh.

Opt in via app and bet 5 x £5 (odds 2.00+) on Cheltenham from 13:00 UK time on 10.03.23 until 13:30 UK time on the 17.03.23. Card payments only. [SEE ALL CHELTENHAM ](https://talksport.com/sport/betting-tips/839604/free-bets-and-new-customer-offers/) [FREE BETS HERE](https://talksport.com/sport/betting-tips/1353771/cheltenham-festival-free-bets-new-customer-sign-up-offers/) 18+ New customers only. [Barca](https://talksport.com/sport/football/team/113445/barcelona/) forward [Ousmane Dembele](https://talksport.com/who/ousmane-dembele/) thought when he made the decision to go and watch Sunderland host Sheffield United on Wednesday. [Will Ferrell was at Loftus Road](https://talksport.com/football/efl/1332387/will-ferrell-sunderland-queens-park-rangers-twitter/) to watch QPR play Sunderland in February.

However, he has been spotted out and about, rather bizarrely in England watching a Championship match between Sunderland and Sheffield United. The cameras ...

Meanwhile, Barca fans will be hoping to see Dembele back playing at the Camp Nou soon. Yet you can still probably expect some wild rumors to emerge from Dembele’s surprise trip to the North East. The story seems to be that Dembele is good mates with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus – who he is seen sitting next to at the match.

Sky Sports cameras picked up the France international enjoying the game on Wednesday night, surprising fans with his presence.

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. They duly got it, with Tommy Doyle netting in the 61st minute after his wide free-kick creeped in without a touch from anyone else. Currently out injured with a hamstring injury, Dembele hasn't played for Barcelona since January.