Sunderland host Brighton & Hove Albion in a mid-table Premier League showdown.
Victory will lift Sunderland up to ninth if Bournemouth fail to win at Burnley, whilst Brighton can go ninth themselves with a win.
Team News
Sunderland could welcome Brian Brobbey (calf) and Dennis Cirkin (hamstring) back into contention.
Nordi Mukiele (calf), Jocelin Ta Bi, Romaine Mundle (both ankle), Bertrand Traore, Reinildo (both knee), Robin Roefs (hamstring) will again be sidelined.
Brighton could welcome Solly March back into contention after he missed their 1-0 loss to Arsenal due to a knock.
Lewis Dunk (knee) and Kaoru Mitoma (ankle) are set to be available subject to late fitness checks.
Stefanos Tzimas (ACL) and Adam Webster (knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Brighton at Stadium of Light on Saturday 14 March at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland drew 0-0 in their only previous Premier League clash against Brighton in December 2025.
- Brighton are making their first Premier League visit to Sunderland, but are winless in their last nine trips in all competitions (D2, L7).
- Sunderland have kept clean sheets in three of their last five matches at home against Brighton (W5).
- Sunderland have won all five of their home games played at 3pm on Saturdays this season (W5).
- Brighton have kept one clean sheet in four away top-flight games in 2026 (W1, D1, L2).
Prediction
Now that potential European qualification via the FA Cup is now closed off following a lacklustre defeat at Port Vale, Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats now must knuckle down and end their mid-season dip because they ideally need to put a winning run together if want to finish seventh and potentially claim an UEFA Conference League spot.
Brighton likewise need a winning run of their own now if they’re to get European qualification and were unlucky not to get a point against Arsenal, but they’ve had a week-and-a-half to reset and work on their weaknesses as this does feel like a must win for both teams.
With that in mind, I am expecting a close battle between both teams but given Sunderland’s home form in the Saturday 3pm slot, it has to give them belief but I can see a draw coming.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Brighton
Result: Sunderland 0-1 Brighton