Coca Cola Championship Matchday Thirteen: Sunderland v Barnsley

Paul Reid could come back into the starting line-up after making a successful return from injury in midweek.

Paul Heckingbottom is available after suspension but Andy Ritchie could stick with Robbie Williams at left back.

Probable Line-Up:

Nick Colgan

Neil Austin

Antony Kay

Bobby Hassell ©

Robbie Williams

Martin Devaney

Brian Howard

Sam Togwell

Michael McIndoe

Marc Richards

Paul Hayes

The Reds are looking for only their second victory at Sunderland in eight attempts (2nd in 2 though at the Stadium of Light) The Reds have only visited the massive Stadium of Light once before and became the first team to be the Black Cats there back in 1998.

Over in the North East though The Reds have lost 7 of the last 8 visits to play Sunderland.

This will be the first time the two sides have met since the 1998-1999 season. The aforementioned win at the Stadium of Light (3-2) was back on the 21^st November 1998 under John Hendrie and was followed by that historic 7-1 victory over Huddersfield Town the following Friday.

The Reds moved up to 16^th in the First Division after that victory at Sunderland in their first season after the Premiership campaign whilst the defeat for Sunderland was the first of the season and they remained top of the table.

Barnsley were beaten 3-1 at home Sunderland in April with Mike Sheron getting The Reds only goal.

Sunderland finished the season as Champions with a massive 105 points- 18 points clear of second place Bradford after just losing 3 games- only to Barnsley at home- and were promoted to the Premiership where they remained for 4years.

Barnsley finished the season in 13^th place, 17 points off the Play-Offs and Hendrie was dismissed after just one season in charge to be replaced by Dave Bassett who led The Reds to the Play-Off Final Wembley the following year but saw his side heart-breakingly beaten 4-2 by Ipswich Town.

Back to the present day and after a horror start to the season for Sunderland with Niall Quinn acting as Chairman AND Manager the Black Cats have managed to slowly turn their season around under the leadership of the Manchester United legend Roy Keane.

Things have slumped recently though as Sunderland have lost their last 2 games- 4-1 at Preston and 2-1 at Stoke- and have been defeated in 3 of their 4 outings to sit one place and one point above The Reds in 19^th place. It's a true relegation six-pointer.

Sunderland's home form has picked up though and they have won of their last 3 whilst Barnsley have tasted defeat in each of their last 4 away outings.

With victory Sunderland could realistically move as high as 14^th whilst Barnsley could move to 16^th.

Last 6 Sunderland v Barnsley Results:

16/4/99 Barnsley 1-3 Sunderland (Division One)

21/11/98 Sunderland 2-3 Barnsley (Division One)

6/4/96 Barnsley 0-1 Sunderland (Division One)

28/10/95 Sunderland 2-1 Barnsley (Division One)

24/3/95 Barnsley 2-0 Sunderland (Division One)

17/9/94 Sunderland 2-0 Barnsley (Division One)

Overall Record:

Sunderland Wins: 12

Barnsley Wins: 8

Draws: 2

Sunderland Goals: 32

Barnsley Goals: 27

Records:

Sunderland:

17/10/06 Stoke 2-1 Sunderland (Championship)

14/10/06 Preston 4-1 Sunderland (Championship)

30/9/06 Sunderland 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday (Championship)

23/9/06 Ipswich 3-1 Sunderland (Championship)

16/9/06 Sunderland 1-1 Leicester (Championship)

13/9/06 Leeds 0-3 Sunderland (Championship)

W:2 D:1 L:3 F:8 A:10 GD:-2 Points:7

Barnsley:

17/10/06 Barnsley 2-2 Plymouth Argyle (Championship)

14/10/06 Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Barnsley (Championship)

30/9/06 Barnsley 1-2 Luton (Championship)

W:1 D:1 L:4 F:6 A:9 GD:-3 Points:4