Perhaps a welcome break from league football as Sunderland & Carlisle United face off to decide who makes it to next stage of the EFL Trophy. All the pre-match information is available here!
It's no vacation for neither Sunderland nor Carlisle United as both were in action only a few days ago. Expect some tired legs on the pitch and/or possibly some changes to the lineups.
Sunderland form and stats
Last season their EFL Trophy adventure ended in the group stage.OK but not perfect. That could be the conclusion for Sunderland's two home games in the League One so far this season, having collected 4 points here at Stadium of Light. In general it's been a long time since Sunderland tasted defeat here at Stadium of Light, as they have taken at least one point from their last twelve home games in the league.
Nothing to worry about in defence for Sunderland, as their goalkeeper Remi Matthews has completely shut out the opponents for 357 minutes in the League One.
Sunderland drew their last game, 0-0 away at Charlton Athletic. Before that, Sunderland had a League One home game versus Peterborough United which ended with a victory 1-0.
Sunderland has scored 2 goals so far and conceded 1 goal from 2 home games. These are numbers from the league only.
Carlisle United form and stats
Carlisle United was sent out of EFL Trophy in the group stage last season.No League Two points yet away for Carlisle United, from their first 2 matches. Carlisle seem to be suffering from homesickness with two consecutive losses away. Third time lucky?
Jon Mellish scored in Carlisle United's previous match, the home game against Barrow that ended 1-0. Prior to that match, the Carlisle manager C. Beech faced defeat when travelling to Scunthorpe United and losing 0-1.
Goalkeeper Paul Farman was absolutely vital in the Carlisle victory against Barrow, making six saves.
The visitors will be packing their bags again in only four days as another away game awaits: The League Two trip to Port Vale.
It's early days yet, but Carlisle United has scored 0 and conceded 4 goals from their travels in the league so far (2 games).
Head 2 Head
Last three meetings between the teams: Sunderland won three, Carlisle United won zero and zero draws. three games with over 2,5 goals, zero matches with two goals or less.Top Goalscorers
  L. Gooch 1 goals | L. O'Nien 1 goals |  G. Leadbitter 1 goals |
Sunderland missing players
Carlisle United missing players
| Sunderland | Carlisle United | ||||||
| Total | Home | Statistics | Stat | Away | Total | ||
| 25 | 14 | Played | P | 13 | 25 | ||
| 13 | 7 | Won | W | 3 | 7 | ||
| 9 | 7 | Drew | D | 5 | 8 | ||
| 3 | 0 | Lost | L | 5 | 10 | ||
| 39 | 28 | Scored | S | 15 | 29 | ||
| 15 | 7 | Conceded | C | 23 | 41 | ||
| 84% | 79% | Over 0.5 | O 0.5 | 92% | 92% | ||
| 60% | 64% | Over 1.5 | O 1.5 | 85% | 80% | ||
| 32% | 43% | Over 2.5 | O 2.5 | 69% | 60% | ||
| 20% | 29% | Over 3.5 | O 3.5 | 31% | 28% | ||
| 4% | 7% | Over 4.5 | O 4.5 | 15% | 12% | ||
| 36% | 43% | BTTS | BTTS | 62% | 52% | ||
| 52% | 57% | Clean Sheets | C S | 8% | 20% | ||
| 28% | 21% | Failed to Score | F T | 38% | 36% | ||
| 0 | 0 | Corners for (avg) | C F | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 0 | Corners against (avg) | C A | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1.9 | 1.7 | Yellow cards (avg) | Y C | 2 | 1.8 | ||
| 3 | 2 | Red cards | R C | 0 | 3 | ||
| 331 | 214 | Total Shots | T S | 190 | 333 | ||
| 108 | 74 | Shots on Target | S O | 64 | 114 | ||
| 36% | 38% | Goal Efficiency | G E | 23% | 25% | ||
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | Lincoln City | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| 2 | Hull City | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
| 3 | Ipswich Town | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 10 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| 5 | Doncaster Rovers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| 6 | Gillingham | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 7 | Swindon Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 | Peterborough United | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 9 | Accrington Stanley | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | -1 | 6 |
| 10 | Wigan Athletic | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 6 |
| 11 | Portsmouth | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 12 | AFC Wimbledon | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 13 | Plymouth Argyle | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 14 | Charlton Athletic | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -2 | 4 |
| 15 | Bristol Rovers | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 4 |
| 16 | Northampton Town | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -3 | 4 |
| 17 | Rochdale | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -3 | 4 |
| 18 | Oxford United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 19 | Shrewsbury Town | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 20 | Crewe Alexandra | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 21 | Blackpool | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -2 | 3 |
| 22 | Fleetwood Town | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| 23 | Burton Albion | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -4 | 3 |
| 24 | Milton Keynes Dons | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 2 |
| Total | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | MP | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | P |
| 1 | Newport County | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| 2 | Morecambe | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | -2 | 9 |
| 3 | Salford City | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| 4 | Cambridge United | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 7 |
| 5 | Port Vale | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 6 | Exeter City | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 7 | Crawley Town | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| 8 | Cheltenham Town | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| 9 | Colchester United | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 10 | Forest Green Rovers | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 11 | Carlisle United | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -1 | 6 |
| 12 | Harrogate Town | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| 13 | Bradford City | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 14 | Walsall | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 15 | Tranmere Rovers | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 5 |
| 16 | Stevenage | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 17 | Leyton Orient | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 | 4 |
| 18 | Scunthorpe United | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -2 | 4 |
| 19 | Bolton Wanderers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -4 | 3 |
| 20 | Mansfield Town | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
| 21 | Barrow | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 2 |
| 22 | Oldham Athletic | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
| 23 | Southend United | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -7 | 1 |
| 24 | Grimsby Town | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -5 | 0 |