Sunderland vs Bristol City preview: How to watch, team news, recent form and referee

All you need to know ahead of the Championship game between Sunderland and Bristol City.

Will Jeffries | Feb 17, 2023

Sunderland vs Bristol City preview: How to watch, team news, recent form and referee /

In-form Bristol City are the visitors to the Stadium of Light this weekend, as Sunderland look to continue their own momentum in their quest for the play-offs.

The Black Cats moved amongst the play-off spots in midweek after a second consecutive win.

Last time out, Sunderland beat QPR 3-0, while Bristol City had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Wigan.

How to Watch

When: Saturday 18th February, 2023 - Kick off: 3pm
Where: Stadium of Light
TV: SAFC Live stream (International)
Radio: BBC Radio Newcastle

Due to EFL broadcasting restrictions, SAFC Live streaming is only available to overseas-based supporters.

Live commentary is also available via BBC Radio Newcastle.

Team News

Lynden Gooch is still a few weeks away from a return for Sunderland and while Niall Huggins trained on the grass the other day, Tony Mowbray will be cautious about easing him back into the team.

Ross Stewart, Corry Evans and Elliot Embleton are all long-term absentees for the Black Cats.

Kal Naismith (calf), Tommy Conway (hamstring), Ayman Benarous (ACL) will all be missing for Bristol City this weekend as they recover from their respective injuries.

Kane Wilson will be pushing to start this weekend for the Robins as he looks to build up his match fitness.

Last Meeting

The two last teams last played each other on Saturday 6th August 2022, as Sunderland came from behind to prevail 3-2 winners at Ashton Gate with a brace from Ellis Simms before Ross Stewart grabbed the winner.

Sunderland starting XI: Patterson, Ballard, Batth, Cirkin, Gooch, Evans, Neil, Clarke, Pritchard, Simms, Stewart

Recent Form

Sunderland: LWDWW

Bristol City: WDWWD

Head-to-head (Last 10 matches)

Sunderland wins: 3
Draws: 5
Bristol City wins: 2

Who's the referee for Sunderland vs Bristol City?

Gavin Ward will take charge of this match, and has refereed 40 games over the last 12 months and issued 73 yellow cards.

Ward last took charge of a Sunderland match on Saturday 17th December 2022, where the Black Cats secured a point away at Hull City. He sent off Elliot Embleton that day.

He will be assisted by Robert Hyde and James Wilson, with Thomas Kirk acting as the fourth official.

What the Managers have said

Tony Mowbray is wary of in-form Bristol City, but also overconfidence getting into this Sunderland side.

He is expected to make changes to his side for the game, and he has also warned that Sunderland may need to be patient again.

Mowbray said: "It is down to us to find the answers to win at home against a team who will make it difficult but we are confident.

“If we have to grind it out then we will. Hopefully, we have a really good game against Bristol City, it is a dangerous game and one we have to be mindful of.”

Nigel Pearson, meanwhile, says he is concerned he won't have much time to get a fresh message into his players after the midweek draw against Wigan.

Pearson said: "If you talk about work on the pitch is one thing but a lot of the preparation you do anyway will be to do with images you see and feedback we will give players.

"I’m not a big fan of overloading players with information anyway, it’s about drip-feeding over a sustained period of time which is probably why we’re a bit of a slow burner in terms of how we improve. I would prefer that which hopefully means it has a more lasting effect.

"If you look at the last ten games where we’re unbeaten, we’ve done okay but actually what we’ve done over the two years, players out and bringing players in and trying to build something, I think we’re in a much better position."

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Bristol City

Tony Mowbray made three changes for the game against QPR, and he will likely shuffle his pack again for the visit of Bristol City.

Sunderland predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Cirkin; Neil, Michut; Amad, Roberts, Clarke; Gelhardt