Sunderland vs Fulham FA Cup replay preview: How to watch, recent form and referee

All you need to know ahead of the FA Cup replay between Sunderland and Fulham.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Updated:
Feb 7, 2023 10:00 PM EST
Original:
Feb 7, 2023

Sunderland host Fulham at Wearside on Wednesday evening, with the winners hosting Leeds United in the Fifth Round.

Last time out, Sunderland secured a 1-1 draw away at Millwall, while Fulham played out a goalless draw against Chelsea.

The match has been chosen for Live TV coverage on BBC One, with a big crowd expected to watch. BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Radio Newcastle are also providing live radio commentary of the match.

How to Watch

When: Wednesday 8th February 2023 - Kick Off: 7:45pm
Where: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
How to watch: BBC One, BBC iPlayer
Radio: BBC Radio Five Live or BBC Radio Newcastle

Team News

Dennis Cirkin will be absent for Sunderland due to concussion protocols after suffering a head injury at Millwall.

Joe Gelhardt is cup-tied and Joe Anderson and Isaac Lihadji also won't feature as they weren't registered in time for the first tie.

However, Luke O'Nien is back in contention after completing his three match suspension, and Pierre Ekwah is also available.

Tony Mowbray is expected to fill the Black Cats bench with youngsters as both teams are allowed nine substitutes. That will likely mean 15-year-old Chris Rigg will be involved again.

Cedric Soares and Sasa Lukic will miss out for Fulham as they were not registered in time for the original tie. Apart from that, Fulham have no fresh injury concerns.

Marco Silva won't be on the touchline for the Cottagers as he serves a one match touchline ban for picking up his fourth yellow card at Stamford Bridge.

Last Meeting

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage on January 28th, with Jack Clarke giving the Black Cats an early lead.

Tom Cairney's fine solo effort in the second half meant the sides could not be separated after 90 minutes.

Chris Rigg thought he had scored the winning goal in the last minute, but it was ruled out for offside.

Sunderland XI: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, Batth, Alese, Neil, Michut, Roberts, Diallo, Clarke, Stewart

Recent Form

Sunderland: WDLWD
Fulham: WWLLD

Head-to-Head (Last 10 Matches)

Sunderland wins: 4
Draws: 3
Fulham wins: 3

Referee

Tim Robinson will take charge of this match and has refereed 37 matches over the last 12 months and has issued 84 yellow cards.

Robinson last took charge of a Sunderland match on January 1st 2023, as the Black Cats had to settle for a 1-1 draw away at Blackpool.

What the Managers have said

Tony Mowbray is looking forward to another tough battle against Fulham. He is hoping that with a big home support, he can steer his side into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Mowbray said: "It's a great challenge for us. We could feel their quality in the first game with their draw with Chelsea, they moved up to sixth in the Premier League. They are having an exceptional season.

"They made four or five changes against us yet they are all all the same players that they rotate in and out for every Premier League game. We're expecting a similar sort of fixture. We are very respectful of their talent and quality.

"That is evident this season, they are not struggling as much. They are a team around the top six of the Premier League. We understand the challenge and the test.

"For us, it is about us challenging again like we did at Craven Cottage. If we don't win, I don't think we'll be seeing it as a crisis. It's a great game for these lads to go and see where they are and see if we can repeat the consistency of the first game where we gave a really decent account of ourselves".

Marco Silva insists he will pick his strongest side to win the game, but also has one eye on Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest.

Silva said: "It's a tough place to go, but we believe in ourselves and we'll do our maximum to play in the next round.

"We have to reach the same type of motivation and enthusiasm as them. It doesn't matter if we make changes, we have to play our game and play to our strengths.

"We are not afraid. We respect all the teams, but we've shown this season that we are not afraid. But we know if we don't play at our best level, we can lose games as well."

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Fulham

The Black Cats are 'stretched' according to Mowbray and he says one or two fringe players may get an opportunity.

Predicted Sunderland starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Alese; Neil, Ekwah; Roberts, Amad, Ba; Clarke