Sunderland AFC v Mansfield Town – Match Preview
Sunderland will look to put an end to their bad run of form when they host Mansfield Town in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend.
Sunderland have lost their last three games in League One, after a 1-0 home defeat to Charlton was followed up by two bad away performances to Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday.
Mansfield sit 20th in League Two after winning their last game at home to Tranmere Rovers, prior to Saturday’s victory Mansfield had only picked up four points from their last nine league games.
This will be the second time the two sides have met in the first round of the FA Cup with Mansfield beating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on the 7th of November 2020.
Former Newcastle player James Perch will miss the game against his former rivals. Perch will miss the remainder of the season because of a fractured skull sustained in training during an aerial challenge.
Sunderland are expected to make changes to the side that was defeated 3-0 away at Sheffield Wednesday, with forward Nathan Broadhead and centre back Arbenit Xhemajli both making progress in their comebacks from injury.
The referee in charge of Saturdays match will be James Oldham, he last refereed a Sunderland game in August when Sunderland saw off Wimbledon 1-0 at home, Mr. Oldham last officiated Mansfield in January 2020 during a 1-0 defeat against Grimsby.
