Author: Winner
Two teams in opposite halves of the Premier League table will meet at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon to kick off the action in the Barclays Premier League this weekend. While the hosting side, Sunderland, will be looking to keep hope of keeping top flight football at Wearside, visitors, Manchester United will be looking to keep up the fight of making top 4.
Recent Form:
Sunderland have been sitting in the relegation zone for the most part of this season but coming from two goals down to snatch a point away at Liverpool last time out will have undoubtedly boosted confidence levels among the squad, however, being four points from safety with just 13 matches left to play, it is victories that Allardyce's side need.
His players have also responded with some fluid displays of late, scoring seven times in their last three outings - two more than United managed throughout the whole of December, their worst run yet.
If reports are to be believed, the continuation of the Van Gaal regime banks on whether or not United qualify for next season's Champions League. Last weekend's 1-1 draw away at Chelsea has left the Red Devils six points adrift of the top four, which means that that only a win on Wearside will satisfy the wailing United faithfuls.
Two teams in opposite halves of the Premier League table will meet at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon to kick off the action in the Barclays Premier League this weekend. While the hosting side, Sunderland, will be looking to keep hope of keeping top flight football at Wearside, visitors, Manchester United will be looking to keep up the fight of making top 4.
Recent Form:
Sunderland have been sitting in the relegation zone for the most part of this season but coming from two goals down to snatch a point away at Liverpool last time out will have undoubtedly boosted confidence levels among the squad, however, being four points from safety with just 13 matches left to play, it is victories that Allardyce's side need.
Preparations for the visit of the Old Trafford outfit have been rocked by the news that Adam Johnson, who scored a stunning Free kick in the draw at Anfield, has pleaded guilty to child sex offences at Bradford Crown Court. The club are yet to comment on the matter, but the midfielder is expected to play no part while his trial continues.
It is a credit to Van Gaal that although he is currently viewed as a managerial dead man walking, he has remained brash and defiant in his own ability. The Dutchman has snapped at members of the press that have dared to question his future, which at least shows that he is determined to reverse the team's fortunes.
His players have also responded with some fluid displays of late, scoring seven times in their last three outings - two more than United managed throughout the whole of December, their worst run yet.
If reports are to be believed, the continuation of the Van Gaal regime banks on whether or not United qualify for next season's Champions League. Last weekend's 1-1 draw away at Chelsea has left the Red Devils six points adrift of the top four, which means that that only a win on Wearside will satisfy the wailing United faithfuls.
Team News:
Will Keane has been named in the travelling squad after a stunning display against Norwich in the youth league. Adnan Januzaj and Guillermo Varela are both unavailable after limping out of the Under-21s' game on Monday as Phil Jones also sustained a knock. The game is also likely to come too soon for Ashley Young and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia are closing on a return, while Luke Shaw is still out.
Will Keane has been named in the travelling squad after a stunning display against Norwich in the youth league. Adnan Januzaj and Guillermo Varela are both unavailable after limping out of the Under-21s' game on Monday as Phil Jones also sustained a knock. The game is also likely to come too soon for Ashley Young and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia are closing on a return, while Luke Shaw is still out.
The home side are without Younes Kaboul, Sebastian Larsson, Jeremain Lens and Duncan Watmore while Adam Johnson has had his contract terminated.
Prediction - Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United
In their last six league away matches, United have scored more than one goal only once. Nevertheless, they appear to be playing with a bit more freedom and fluency, and most of all pacifying the "attack" chants bellowing at Old Trafford right now and with their front four causing problems, it would not be a surprise to see them leave the Stadium of Light with all three points.
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