Sunderland will avoid relegation if they win tonight away to Portsmouth, whose status in the Barclays Premier League has been secured by virtue of the weekend’s results.
With issues off the pitch set to come to the fore at the Stadium of Light, it promises to be what Marton Fulop, the goalkeeper, has described as “a very important few days for the club”. The Hungarian added: “If we stay in this division, anything can happen.”
Victory at Fratton Park would hasten Ellis Short’s complete takeover of Sunderland, bringing them financial security and a wealth of possibilities. While Short’s involvement would not be diminished in the event of demotion, it would inflict sharp psychological damage on a club transformed under Niall Quinn’s chairmanship.
A draw with Portsmouth would lift Ricky Sbragia’s team three points above third-bottom Newcastle United with a game to play. Sunderland host Chelsea on the final day of the season and defeat by Guus Hiddink’s side combined with single-goal victories for Newcastle and Hull City, over Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively, would dispatch them to the Coca-Cola Championship. It is unlikely, but far from impossible.
After defeats by West Bromwich Albion and Everton, the mood on Wearside was improved by the 0-0 draw away to Bolton Wanderers. “Every game is massive until we’re mathematically safe,” Fulop said. “Every team has highs and lows and we’ve done brilliantly to bounce back and get a very good point at Bolton.
“After West Brom and Everton, everybody had to have a good look at themselves, correct their mistakes and we were much better at Bolton and played as a team. That wasn’t there against West Brom and Everton. They were the low points of the season and everybody knows the significance of the Portsmouth game.”
Sbragia is expected to keep faith with the 4-2-3-1 formation he fielded at the Reebok Stadium, where Kenwyne Jones operated as a lone striker. After recovering from a severe knee injury, sustained playing for Trinidad & Tobago against England last summer, he has scored ten goals and signed an extended contract with Sunderland in January.
“His body has been through hell,” Sbragia said. “He is 23, a young player with a lot to learn. This is his second season in the Premier League and defenders have got to know him, but there’s no lack of hunger.”
Portsmouth (possible; 4-5-1): D James — Y Kaboul, S Campbell, S Distin, H Hreidarsson — G Johnson, H Mullins, S Davis, R Hughes, N Belhadj — P Crouch.
Sunderland (possible; 4-2-3-1): M Fulop — P Bardsley, C Davenport, A Ferdinand, D Collins — D Whitehead, T Tainio — S Malbranque, K Richardson, G Leadbitter — K Jones.
Referee: A Wiley.
Television: Live on Setanta Sports 1 from 7pm (kick-off 8pm).
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