About Match
The table reads 13th (Sunderland U18, 1 pts) against 12th (Middlesbrough U18, 2 pts), 1 points apart. Recent form tells a different story for Sunderland U18: only 27th in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 13th. In league terms the two rates read 2/2 for Sunderland U18 and 1.25/3 for Middlesbrough U18 (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 2.5. Victory would move Sunderland U18 to 4 points, overtaking Middlesbrough U18, with other results unchanged.
5 games without a win frame Middlesbrough U18's arrival. The last-five ledger: Sunderland U18 10/15, Middlesbrough U18 2/15.
The head-to-head ledger counts 8 games: 3 Sunderland U18 wins, 2 for Middlesbrough U18, 3 draws, at 3.38 goals per meeting. Home advantage has meant little here: 25% of the meetings went to the host.
Academy of Light Training Ground in South Tyneside, capacity 3,500, hosts the game.