Match Preview: Sunderland (A)

31 December 2023

North End will begin 2024 with an early kick-off on Wearside, taking on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Match Details

Date: Monday 1^st January, 12.30pm kick-off
Venue: Stadium of Light
Competition: Sky Bet Championship
Kit: Third kit

Supporter Information

Tickets are now off sale from www.mypne.com and in person from the ticket office, however supporters can buy until kick-off by clicking here. These tickets will be digital and will not be available in person on matchday.

Fans who have bought tickets from the PNE ticket office and are collecting on the day can do so from the matchday collection point in the ticket office, which is located within the Black Cat House, adjacent to the stadium.

Supporters should also be aware that the Stadium of Light is cashless.

Preston North End supporters will be asked to dispose of any coins or vapes at the turnstiles by the stewards on arrival.

All coins collected will be donated to Preston North End Community and Education Trust.

Who’s Available?

North End were boosted by the long-awaited return of Emil Riis on Friday night after almost a full year on the sidelines, and the Dane is expected to be part of the squad heading to the Stadium of Light.

Fellow forward Will Keane will need to be assessed ahead of Monday after struggling with illness for the last few days.

Jack Whatmough’s injury which forced him off against Sheffield Wednesday will also be checked on before the visit to Wearside, while Robbie Brady’s calf issue is expected to keep him out.

Opposition Focus

Sunderland are still settling into life under a new head coach in Michael Beale, who took over on 18^th December, following the departure of Tony Mowbray.

The former Rangers boss got his first victory in charge of the Black Cats on Boxing Day, beating Hull City away from home, before picking up another point on the road against Rotherham United.

They’re in a good position in the table heading into the opening game of the year, sat a place and two points outside of the Play-Off spots.

A Recent Clash

Will Keane and Mads Frøkjær got on the scoresheet as PNE secured a first victory of the season in August.

Follow The Action

This match has been selected for Sky Sports coverage, therefore will not be available to watch in the majority of regions around the world on iFollow. Fans are advised to check their local TV listings.

Live commentary is available as usual, though, with commentary coming from Jonathan Breeze and club legend Tom Clarke. £2.50 match passes and £4.49 monthly passes are on sale here.

Coverage before, during, and after the game can be followed across the club’s social media channels and here on the website.

Match Officials

Referee: Oliver Langford
Assistant Referees: George Byrne and Andrew Dallison
Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone

After taking charge of the draw against Norwich City in December, Oliver Langford will referee his second North End match of the season on New Year’s Day.

So far this campaign, Langford has shown 60 yellow cards and five reds in 17 matches.

Match Reports

Match Report: Sunderland 2 PNE 0

1 January 2024

Preston North End were beaten 2-0 away to Sunderland on the opening day of 2024.

Goals from Alex Pritchard and Nazariy Rusyn sent PNE into the break with a two-goal deficit to try and overcome.

North End looked for a way back into the game, sending on all three strikers named on the bench, however the breakthrough didn’t arrive and Sunderland took the points.

There were three changes made from the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, with Ched Evans, Jordan Storey and Mads Frøkjær coming in to start.

It was a lively opening to the game with chances at either end, firstly through Jack Clarke who bent an effort just past Freddie Woodman’s post, before Anthony Patterson had to come up with a big save at full stretch to deny Ben Whiteman a brilliant fifth-minute opener.

PNE were looking lively but fell behind ten minutes in when Pritchard was allowed room in midfield to shape up for a 25-yard strike which he fired into the bottom corner.

Woodman soon had to deny both Clarke and Pritchard, while at the opposite end Frøkjær might have done better from a first-time effort sent over the bar from the edge of the area.

Liam Millar was still looking like a big threat on the left, despite being doubled up on by the hosts, as he continued to show his trickery and pace.

Sunderland’s wideman Clarke was also causing problems and, in the 44^th minute, he hopped past Storey and cut back for Rusyn, who finished beyond Woodman to give his side a two-goal lead at the break.

PNE needed more in the second half and came out on the front foot, as Brad Potts saw a powerful strike blocked before Millar’s effort in the next attack towards the near post was tipped away by Patterson.

The ‘keeper was tested again in the 58^th minute to prevent Ali McCann getting one back from 20 yards, and the midfielder was soon part of a double change which saw Milutin Osmajić and Will Keane come on, as North End looked to find a way back into the game.

Emil Riis was also sent on with 11 minutes to go but the Sunderland backline remained firm and weren’t giving North End any real sign of goal, and it was the Black Cats who took all three points.

Sunderland line-up: Patterson; Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Alese (Pembele, 70); Ekwah, Neil; Pritchard (Seelt, 85), Bellingham (Mayenda, 85), Clarke; Rusyn (Ba, 76). Subs not used: Bishop, Burstow, Aouchiche, Triantis, Rigg.

PNE line-up: Woodman; Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Whiteman; Browne, McCann (Keane, 66), Frøkjær, Millar; Evans (Osmajić, 66). Subs not used: Cornell, Cunningham, Ledson, Woodburn, Holmes, Best.

Attendance: 42,714 (PNE fans TBC).

Referee: Mr O Langford.

Ticket News

Sunderland Tickets On Sale

30 December 2023

Tickets for North End’s opening match of 2024 against Sunderland are now off sale from Deepdale, however tickets can be purchased online.

PNE will break in the New Year with a 12.30pm kick-off at the Stadium of Light on Monday 1st January, and the club were allocated 2,000 tickets for this fixture.

Tickets are no longer on sale from Deepdale or from www.mypne.com, however fans can buy online here. These tickets will be digital and will not be available to collect on matchday.

Supporters should also be aware that the Stadium of Light is cashless.

Ticket Prices

Adults (22-64) £32
Seniors (65+) £29
U22s (16-21) £24
U16s (0-15) £14

Supporters under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a person aged 18 or above.

Disabled Supporter Information

Six tickets are available for wheelchair users, priced in accordance with the relevant age band above.

Free carer tickets will be provided where required for wheelchair users and ambulant disabled supporters.

Coach Travel

Coach travel is available as usual from both Deepdale and Leyland, departing from both locations at 8am.

Travel is priced at £18 for all Ambassadors and £20 for non-Ambassadors.

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