Sunderland vs Watford: How to Watch, Team News, Recent Form, Referee

All you need to know ahead of the Sky Bet Championship game against Watford.

Sunderland play their final home fixture of the 2022/23 season against Watford this weekend, and the Black Cats are just two games away from finishing inside the play-off places.

A crowd of over 40,000 people are expected at the Stadium of Light this weekend in the hope of seeing their team claim another vital win before their last game at Preston North End next weekend.

Last time out, Sunderland secured a 2-1 victory against West Brom whilst Watford lost 1-0 away at Hull City.

How to Watch

When: Saturday 29th April 2023, with kick-off at 3pm.

Where: Stadium of Light.

TV: SAFC Stream (International).

Radio: BBC Radio Newcastle.

Team News

Tony Mowbray announced in his press conference that Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns or returns ahead of the Watford game.

Last Meeting

The two sides last played each other in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 17th September 2022, with second half goals from Aji Alese and Jewison Bennette securing a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.

Sunderland XI that day: Patterson, Gooch, O'Nien, Batth, Alese, Roberts, Neil, Evans, Clarke, Embleton, Pritchard

Recent Form

Sunderland: DWWDW

Watford: LDWLL

Head-to-head (last 10 matches)

Sunderland wins: 3

Draws: 4

Watford wins: 3

Who is the referee for Sunderland vs Watford?

Gavin Ward will take charge of this match and has refereed 35 matches over the last 12 months and issuing 123 yellow cards.

He will be assisted by Mark Dwyer and Adam Crysell, with Thomas Parsons acting as the fourth official.

What the managers have said...

Tony Mowbray is continuing to take it one game at a time as he prepares his side to face a dangerous Watford side this weekend in the lads' final home game of the season.

Mowbray said: "There's a huge threat I would suggest from Watford. If you think of Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro, two of them really, Asprilla.

"They have lots and and lots of really good attacking players, Assombalonga and Davis, they are a real threat with lots of experience, lots of talent, lots of speed, lots of individuality.

"For whatever reason, I'm not at that club, they have obviously had some problems and issues. The coach has changed a few times and stuff. 

"What I do know is when I look and see the individual talent of Pedro and Sarr and Davis, it's a game we have to really focus and concentrate on.

"If they bring their best game, they can give anybody in this division problems so we have to be very mindful of that."

Chris Wilder wants his side to show what they are all about as he looks to end to end the season on a positive note.

Wilder said: "I've said enough about the team, regarding the future, but now it's head down and concentrate on the next game.

"We got the shape right and the press was right (against Hull). Maybe they've dodged a bullet in terms of them having a penalty. I saw a team that wanted something from the game, which, in my opinion, was a big positive for me. Maybe a bit more quality inside the final third was missing.

"There's still loads of things, but from a character and attitude point of view it was a decent effort. It's a testing time for them and they have to show through the adversity what they're all about. There's still six big points to play for. We've got a big game at the Stadium of Light so we have to get ready for that."