Match Report
In the standings it was Sunderland U21 13th on 28 points, Middlesbrough U21 19th on 22 — separated by 6. The last five rounds placed Middlesbrough U21 3rd in the league for form — higher than their 19th in the standings. Scoring rates set the scale: Sunderland U21 2.4 scored and 1.75 conceded per game, Middlesbrough U21 1.35 and 2.15, with the league averaging 1.82.
Middlesbrough U21 arrived off three straight defeats.
GioScore's database holds 5 meetings between the two: 2 for Sunderland U21, 3 for Middlesbrough U21 and 0 drawn, at 4.6 goals per meeting. The host's record in this fixture is thin — 40% of meetings won. Expect goals on precedent — three or more in 60% of the meetings, and both sides scored in 60%.
Eppleton Colliery Football Ground in Hetton-le-Hole, capacity 14,403, hosted the game. It was 1-1 at the break, and the second half added 3 goals for the 3-2 full-time score.