Preview: Sunderland v Luton in 2nd leg of Championship play off semi-final
Sunderland will be looking to further solidify their chances of reaching the Sky Bet Championship play-off final as they head into their second leg against Luton Town on Tuesday 16th May.
Sunderland will be looking to further solidify their chances of reaching the Sky Bet Championship play-off final as they head into their second leg against Luton Town on Tuesday 16th May.
The Black Cats currently hold a one-goal cushion following their 2-1 home victory against Rob Edwards’s men, courtesy of goals from Amad Diallo and Trai Hume.
Tony Mowbray has made it clear that, despite Sunderland being ahead in the tie, he has no intention of playing for a draw against Luton at Kenilworth Road and has ordered his men to follow up with a victory.
If Sunderland do manage to leave victorious, they will head to Wembley to play the winner out of Coventry City and Middlesbrough, who go into their second leg on Wednesday 17th May following a 0-0 draw in their first leg at the Riverside Stadium.
The potential to have a Tees-Wear derby take place in what will undoubtedly be a sold-out Wembley stadium, is very exciting for neutrals. This could be the third north east team to venture down to London this year, following Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United and Gateshead FC who are scheduled to play against Halifax Town in the final of the FA Trophy later this month.
Although Sunderland is leading in the tie, Tony Mowbray has reinforced that:
“Nobody is taking anything for granted. We Know we’ve got another huge fight on our hands on Tuesday that we need to bring our best performance to.
“We Know their threat and that they are a very good team, he added.
If the Black Cats do indeed bring their best performance and manage to keep their one goal cushion against Luton, who prior to Saturday’s match were 14 games unbeaten, they will be granted with the opportunity to end their six-year absence of Premier League football.
However, it will be no easy task for the north east club.
Kenilworth Road has been a fortress for Edwards’s men, who have only suffered two defeats in the league since the turn of the year, falling short to West Bromwich Albion and Championship winners Burnley.
Yet, Sunderland have boasted an impressive away record of late with Mowbray’s men ending the regular season with three consecutive away victories. They managed to pick up 39 points on the road throughout the season, something only bettered by Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton themselves.
Regardless of the result on Tuesday, Sunderland’s 1000 travelling away fans will be in full voice as their support has been invaluable to their seasonal success.