BY KIERAN HILL
A sold-out Den always marks a special occasion for Gary Rowett’s Lions.
Tomorrow afternoon’s clash in the Championship against northern opposition has called for a sell-out, so we will all be expecting fireworks from the game.
In 39 encounters between the two sides, Sunderland have won 16, with the Lions winning 13. There have also been 10 draws in games between the two.
The Lions come into this encounter placed 8th in the Championship and find themselves just one point away from 6th placed Blackburn of whom have played one game more than the Lions. This, therefore, means that every single game in which the Lions play this season has turned into a “must-win” to maintain the momentum needed to keep up with the other teams in the play- off chasing pack.
The South London side come into the game having won three of their last five matches in the Championship, however, the Black Cats of Sunderland find themselves on an impressive run of form themselves. They come into this encounter at what will be an intimidating Den, having just scraped a draw away at Premier League side, Fulham in the FA Cup which will presumably give the Black Cats a great deal of confidence coming into this contest. Their league form has been fantastic too, having gained 10 points from their last five games, including big wins against promotion-chasing Middlesborough, and a convincing 4-1 win away against struggling Wigan.
Recent performances have shown how well the Black Cats can play on their day, and this has been with great help from Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo. Diallo has managed 7 goals in 21 games in all competitions for Sunderland this season, an imposing tally considering the Ivorian is just 20 years of age, the winger has been known to play in any of the three attacking midfielder roles of the 4-2-3-1 formation in which Sunderland have used so far this season.
Whilst Tony Mowbray’s side will look to exploit Millwall through Diallo and their other attacking forces, the Lions will look to their own key men to play a big role in combatting the Black Cats. Zian Flemming has had an exceptional start to life in Bermondsey and will look to add to the eleven goals in which he has scored so far this season.
Flemming will also look to bring out the best in new signings Oliver Burke and Duncan Watmore. Watmore will be facing up against one of his former employers in Sunderland, so will be working extra hard to get onto the scoresheet on his Millwall debut if Rowett decides to start the Englishman. Burke arrives on loan from Werder Bremen, having scored two goals in the top tier of German football this season.
Whatever happens, it promises to be an enthralling encounter between two clubs with high ambitions for the rest of the season.