Match Previews

country flag League 1 Round 1
Sat 04 August 2018 12:30
Referee
John Brooks
Weather at KO
Travel Info
Distance

Sunderland

Last updated: Sat 04 August 2018 09:25
In Brief

Sunderland have a new manager in charge and are looking to exorcise the demons of back-to-back relegations. Anything other than promotion would be seen as a disaster. Lamine Kone is expected to leave. Duncan Watmore, Tom Flanagan, Charlie Wyke, Aiden McGeady, Reece James and Ethan Robson are out. Dylan McGeouch is 50-50 at best.

Looking Back

Sunderland are coming from a horrible couple of seasons, as they dropped from Premier League to League One within the space of two years.

The Black Cats start the new campaign with a new manager in charge in Jack Ross and anything other than a straight return to the second tier would be seen as a disaster.

Looking Ahead

Sunderland have recorded plenty of ins and outs and have signed two players from League One rivals this week in Jack Baldwin and Luke O'Nien. However, Lamine Kone is expected to leave the club.

Ross must make his plans without Duncan Watmore, who is out injured. As many as three other players have lost their races against time in Aiden McGeady, Reece James and Ethan Robson. Moreover, new signing Charlie Wyke is out, Tom Flanagan has picked up an injury in training and faces two weeks out, while Dylan McGeouch is 50-50 to play at best.

The Black Cats are still working hard to strengthen; with Jack Baldwin, Luke O'Nien and Charlie Wyke all joining over the last seven days.

Points of Interest

Sunderland's home form has been a big worry of theirs for well over a year. They won only 3 out of their 23 home games last season, with one of these coming in the last round against Wolves in a game in which neither side had anything to play for.

Charlton Athletic

Last updated: Sat 04 August 2018 09:25
In Brief

Losing semi-finalists last season, Charlton will be aiming for promotion this time around. Josh Magennis departs. Several trialists are being looked at. Tariqe Fosu-Henry, Ben Reeves, Igor Vetokele, Billy Clarke and Anfernee Dijksteel are all out. Lyle Taylor is hopeful of overcoming an injury.

Looking Back

Charlton made the play-offs last season, but failed to reach the Wembley final after succumbing to a semi final defeat to eventual losing finalists Shrewsbury.

Despite his failure to achieve promotion, caretaker manager Gary Bowyer remains in charge. He is yet to be named Charlton's permanent manager but this announcement is expected to be made soon.

Looking Ahead

The Addics have not signed a lot of players so far this summer but are looking at several trialists and could strengthen in time for their season opener.

The likes of Tariqe Fosu-Henry, Ben Reeves, igor Vetokele, Billy Clarke and Anfernee Dijksteel are all out, as Charlton are already dealing with a lengthy injury list.

Summer signing Lyle Taylor has been struggling with a knock lately but is expected to overcome his injury in time to feature in this one.

Points of Interest

Charlton are unbeaten in their last six games against Sunderland and won the last three. However, the two sides last met back in 2005, when this was a Premier League fixture.

Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Transfer in
  • Jack Ross (manager), Glenn Loovens (def) (Sheffield Wednesday), Alim Ozturk (def) (Boluspor), Tom Flanagan (def) (Burton), Reece James (def) (Wigan), Dylan McGeouch (mid) (Hibernian), Jon McLaughlin (gk) (Hearts), Chris Maguire (att) (Bury), Papy Djilobodji (def) (Dijon - loan ended), Jerome Sinclair (att) (Watford - loan), Jack Baldwin (def) (Peterborough), Luke O'Nien (mid) (Wycombe), Charlie Wyke (att) (Bradford)
Transfer out
  • Brendan Galloway (r) (def) (Everton - loan ended), Jake Clarke-Salter (r) (def) (Chelsea - loan ended), Lee Camp (sp) (gk) (Cardiff - loan ended), Jonathan Williams (r) (mid) (Crystal Palace - loan ended), Ashley Fletcher (r) (att) (Middlesbrough - loan ended), Tylas Browning (r) (def) (Everton - loan ended), Ovie Ejaria (sp) (mid) (Liverpool - loan ended), Wahbi Khazri (k) (mid) (Saint Etienne), Paddy McNair (r) (def) (Middlesbrough), Fabio Borini (r) (att) (Milan), Jermain Lens (r) (mid) (Besiktas), Joel Asoro (sp) (att) (Swansea), Billy Jones (sp) (def) (Rotherham), John O'Shea (r) (def) (Reading), Callum McManaman (r) (mid) (Wigan), Jason Steele (r) (gk) (Brighton), Jack Rodwell (r) (mid) (contract expired), Marc Wilson (sp) (def) (contract expired), Kazenga LuaLua (r) (mid) (contract expired)
Transfer in
  • Lyle Taylor (att) (Wimbledon), Darren Pratley (mid) (Bolton), Igor Vetokele (att) (Saint Truiden - back from loan)
Transfer out
  • Ben Amos (r) (gk) (Bolton - loan ended), Sullay Kaikai (sp) (mid) (Crystal Palace - loan ended), Jay Dasilva (r) (def) (Chelsea - loan ended), Michal Zyro (sp) (att) (Wolverhampton - loan ended), Stephy Mavididi (sp) (att) (Arsenal - loan ended), Ezri Konsa (r) (def) (Brentford), Brandon Hanlan (sp) (att) (Gillingham), Ahmed Kashi (r) (mid) (Troyes), Harry Lennon (sp) (def) (Southend), Johnnie Jackson (sp) (mid) (retired), Josh Magennis (r) (att) (Bolton)
Transfer in
  • Jack Ross (manager), Glenn Loovens (def) (Sheffield Wednesday), Alim Ozturk (def) (Boluspor), Tom Flanagan (def) (Burton), Reece James (def) (Wigan), Dylan McGeouch (mid) (Hibernian), Jon McLaughlin (gk) (Hearts), Chris Maguire (att) (Bury), Papy Djilobodji (def) (Dijon - loan ended), Jerome Sinclair (att) (Watford - loan), Jack Baldwin (def) (Peterborough), Luke O'Nien (mid) (Wycombe), Charlie Wyke (att) (Bradford)
Transfer out
  • Brendan Galloway (r) (def) (Everton - loan ended), Jake Clarke-Salter (r) (def) (Chelsea - loan ended), Lee Camp (sp) (gk) (Cardiff - loan ended), Jonathan Williams (r) (mid) (Crystal Palace - loan ended), Ashley Fletcher (r) (att) (Middlesbrough - loan ended), Tylas Browning (r) (def) (Everton - loan ended), Ovie Ejaria (sp) (mid) (Liverpool - loan ended), Wahbi Khazri (k) (mid) (Saint Etienne), Paddy McNair (r) (def) (Middlesbrough), Fabio Borini (r) (att) (Milan), Jermain Lens (r) (mid) (Besiktas), Joel Asoro (sp) (att) (Swansea), Billy Jones (sp) (def) (Rotherham), John O'Shea (r) (def) (Reading), Callum McManaman (r) (mid) (Wigan), Jason Steele (r) (gk) (Brighton), Jack Rodwell (r) (mid) (contract expired), Marc Wilson (sp) (def) (contract expired), Kazenga LuaLua (r) (mid) (contract expired)

Charlton Athletic

Last updated: Sat 04 August 2018 09:25
In Brief

Losing semi-finalists last season, Charlton will be aiming for promotion this time around. Josh Magennis departs. Several trialists are being looked at. Tariqe Fosu-Henry, Ben Reeves, Igor Vetokele, Billy Clarke and Anfernee Dijksteel are all out. Lyle Taylor is hopeful of overcoming an injury.

Looking Back

Charlton made the play-offs last season, but failed to reach the Wembley final after succumbing to a semi final defeat to eventual losing finalists Shrewsbury.

Despite his failure to achieve promotion, caretaker manager Gary Bowyer remains in charge. He is yet to be named Charlton's permanent manager but this announcement is expected to be made soon.

Looking Ahead

The Addics have not signed a lot of players so far this summer but are looking at several trialists and could strengthen in time for their season opener.

The likes of Tariqe Fosu-Henry, Ben Reeves, igor Vetokele, Billy Clarke and Anfernee Dijksteel are all out, as Charlton are already dealing with a lengthy injury list.

Summer signing Lyle Taylor has been struggling with a knock lately but is expected to overcome his injury in time to feature in this one.

Points of Interest

Charlton are unbeaten in their last six games against Sunderland and won the last three. However, the two sides last met back in 2005, when this was a Premier League fixture.

Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Transfer in
  • Lyle Taylor (att) (Wimbledon), Darren Pratley (mid) (Bolton), Igor Vetokele (att) (Saint Truiden - back from loan)
Transfer out
  • Ben Amos (r) (gk) (Bolton - loan ended), Sullay Kaikai (sp) (mid) (Crystal Palace - loan ended), Jay Dasilva (r) (def) (Chelsea - loan ended), Michal Zyro (sp) (att) (Wolverhampton - loan ended), Stephy Mavididi (sp) (att) (Arsenal - loan ended), Ezri Konsa (r) (def) (Brentford), Brandon Hanlan (sp) (att) (Gillingham), Ahmed Kashi (r) (mid) (Troyes), Harry Lennon (sp) (def) (Southend), Johnnie Jackson (sp) (mid) (retired), Josh Magennis (r) (att) (Bolton)

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*Based on Available Players