Sunderland vs Fulham: FA Cup match preview
A look ahead to this weekend’s FA Cup tie at the Stadium of Light
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has his sights set on another morale-boosting cup win as his Black Cats welcome a wildly inconsistent Fulham to Wearside on Saturday.
Poyet will hope a run in the FA Cup – similar to the one that saw his side reach the Capital One Cup final last season – can provide a lift in the dressing room as his team battle against relegation in the Premier League. The Uruguayan manager described Sunderland as “a different club” after the arrival of Jermaine Defoe last week and the English striker is in line to make his home debut after a first appearance for the club in last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Tottenham.
Meanwhile, their Championship visitors come into this tie with a renewed sense of confidence having recorded a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday – their second straight victory. Ross McCormack’s first half hat-trick set the Cottagers on their way to three points and the Scottish striker will be one for Sunderland to keep an eye on.
Kit Symon’s side had to work hard to earn their place in this tie, having battled to a thrilling penalty shootout triumph in their third round replay at Wolves. Fulham showed excellent strength of character to come from behind twice, including a McCormack spot kick in the last minute of extra time. That goal set up a shootout, which Fulham won 5-3. Before that spirited display, however, the Craven Cottage outfit had not scored in four matches.
KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS…
Fulham 1 (Sidwell) Sunderland (Johnson 3, Sung-yueng) 4, Premier League, January 2014
Sunderland 0 Fulham 1 (Kasami), Premier League, August 2013
Sunderland 2 (Gardner, Sessegnon) Fulham 2 (Berbatov, Riether), Premier League, March 2013
STATS…
Sunderland’s victory over Leeds in the third round was their only win in six matches
Fulham have kept just one clean sheet in their last eleven away games
The Black Cats have been in the draw for the fifth round just twice in the last decade
Cottagers striker Ross McCormack has scored four goals in his last three matches in all competitions
ODDS…
Sunderland to win: 1.67
Fulham to win: 5.75
Draw: 4
TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments