Two of England’s most iconic teams face off at the New York Stadium tonight – Rotherham United and Sunderland AFC. This is sure to be an incredible encounter between these two sides, both promoted from League One last season. To get you prepared, we’ve put together a preview of the match – so keep reading to find out more!
Overview of the Current Form of Both Teams.
Rotherham has struggled this season and finds themselves at the bottom end of the Championship table. They will be looking for their first win in six games as they enter this match against Sunderland. The Millers currently lie 21st in the standings, with 33 points from their 32 matches – 16 points behind their North East opponents. However, their form has been shaky of late, with 3 draws and 2 losses in their last five games. On the other hand, Sunderland has had a resurgence of late under manager Tony Mowbray and now sits 6th in the standings, being unbeaten in their last 5 league games. Both teams know that a win here would be a huge boost to their season – and no doubt they will come prepared for an all-out battle!
Key Players to look out for in this Match.
Both teams have players that can make a huge difference on the day, but there are a few players from each side in particular who we think could make a decisive impact. For Rotherham, Jordan Hugill is looking for his first goal since signing from Norwich City. On the opposite side, Sunderland’s Amad Diallo has been in inspired form lately and has 7 goals from midfield this season. Then there is Bailey Wright, the former Sunderland defender who joined Rotherham in the January transfer window and who offers Rotherham some much-needed experience at the back.
Home Advantage for Rotherham.
Home advantage could be an important factor in the upcoming showdown. On the day, Rotherham will be looking to take advantage of their support from the stands and feed off the energy of their home crowd. However, Sunderland has been impressive on the road this season – not losing away from home since Blackburn on the 18th of October. This clash could really go either way!
Who do the Experts Think Will Win?
While the game is undoubtedly close between these newly promoted sides, bookmakers and experts seem to be siding with Sunderland ahead of the big clash. Rotherham is currently struggling in the table and finding life difficult in the Championship, while Sunderland is looking on form for a playoff spot at the end of the season. But on their day, Rotherham can be a formidable force and with home advantage on their side, along with new January signings, they have more than enough quality to win this game!
