Sunderland (H) | Match Preview
The Game
Argyle v Sunderland. Home Park. Saturday, 25 November. 3pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Sunderland have won eight of their 16 games so far this season, drawing two and losing six. Their 26 points places them sixth in the Championship table, just over a third into the season.
Sunderland began with two defeats - to Ipswich Town and Preston North End - before a strong run of six wins in eight games, and just one defeat in that spell.
A surprising 4-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough rocked them, and they lost the next two, away to Stoke City and Leicester City. before responding with consecutive 3-1 wins at home to Norwich City and Birmingham City, either side of a 0-0 draw at Swansea City.
The Gaffer
A strong, respected centre back, Tony Mowbray played over 400 games for his local club, Middlesbrough, whom he captained at the age of 22. He moved to Celtic for four seasons before returning to England and played 152 times for Ipswich Town.
As a manager, he has had time at Hibernian, West Bromwich Albion, Celtic, Middlesbrough and Coventry City, before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 2017. He took charge of 267 games for Rovers, leaving in May 2022 at the end of his contract.
He took the job at Sunderland three months later, and took them to the play-offs last season, losing in the semi-finals to Luton Town.
The Squad
Jobe Bellingham, the younger sibling of Real Madrid and England star Jude, is looking to following in famous brother's footsteps. They both started out at Birmingham City, at a very young age. He played 26 games, most as a substitute, for Blues, before moving to Sunderland in the summer. Having turned 18 in September, Jobe (below) has been ever-present for Sunderland this season, scoring three goals, including one against his old team last time out.
Twenty-three-year-old attacking midfielder Jack Clarke is Sunderland's leading goalscorer with nine goals from 16 games this season. Six of those game in September, a month in which Clarke won the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month. As a teenager, Clarke moved for big money to Tottenham Hotspur, from Leeds United, but did not break into the team at Spurs. A series of loan moves followed, including one to Sunderland in 2022, which led to his permanent move that summer.
Luke O'Nien is one of Sunderland's more experienced players. The 29-year-old came through the ranks at Watford, but got his break at Wycombe Wanderers, for whom he signed in 2015. He played 119 times in three seasons, before earning a move to Sunderland, for whom he has now played almost 250 games and is now captain. O'Nien (below) is known for his versatility, often playing as a right-back or central midfielder, but has played as a central defender this season.
Fancy a Stat?
Argyle's last win over Sunderland at Home Park - in August 2004 - saw the Greens win 2-1 to send them second in the Championship.
The History
Argyle and Sunderland have met 33 times in the clubs' histories. The Greens have won nine of those games, Sunderland have won 19 and there have been five draws.
The most recent meetings came in the 2021/22 season. The sides drew 0-0 at Home Park, with the game at the Stadium of Light finishing in a 2-1 win to Sunderland.
Tickets
The game is sold out for Argyle supporters.
If you have a season ticket and cannot attend, you can make your ticket available via the Ticket Exchange and receive face value credit if your ticket is resold. Find out more about the Ticket Exchange.
Argyle TV
Commentary for the game will be provided by Rob McNichol and Marc Edworthy.
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, hosted by Erin Black and Ian Stonebridge, will begin at 2pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube.
Domestic supporters can listen to audio commentary on Argyle TV, while international supporters can buy a match pass to watch the game, here.
