Sunderland v Luton Town Play

Sunderland return to action when they take on Luton in the first leg of their play-off semi-final on Saturday.

Here are all the details you need to know about the game…

WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?

Having secured their play-off place in dramatic fashion courtesy of a 3-0 win over Preston on the final day of the regular Championship season, Sunderland play the first leg of their semi-final with Luton on home soil at the Stadium of Light.

Both games between the two sides so far this season have ended in a 1-1 draw, with Elliot Embleton's second-half goal cancelling out Carlton Morris’ opener at Kenilworth Road and Amad Diallo's late penalty earning Sunderland a point after Alfie Doughty had opened the scoring at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland boast a superb recent home record against Luton, having avoided defeat against the Hatters in their last 18 meetings on Wearside. Luton's last win over Sunderland in the North-East came at Roker Park back in September 1973.

WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?

Saturday's game kicks off at 5.30pm.

ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?

Yes. Tickets for the home sections at the Stadium of Light went on sale to season-ticket holders on Tuesday morning.

Season-ticket holders have until 10am on Thursday, May 11 to secure their seat, at which point a second sale window will begin. From midday on Thursday, May 11, all supporters registered to SAFC's ticketing database will be able to purchase up to four tickets in the remaining seats.

Tickets are available via the ticketing section of Sunderland's official website, or in person at the Stadium of Light ticket office, which will be open from 10am to 5pm Monday-Friday. There will be no ticket sales via telephone.

Tickets are priced from £23 for adults and £8 for Under-16s.

IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?

Yes, Saturday's game is being televised live by Sky Sports, and will be broadcast on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels.

As a result of the game being broadcast live in the UK, there will be no domestic streaming available.

Radio commentary will be available on BBC Radio Newcastle and talkSPORT and Dominic Shaw will be at the Stadium of Light for The Northern Echo producing a live blog, report, ratings, reaction and analysis that will available on The Northern Echo's website.

WHAT IS SUNDERLAND’S LIKELY LINE-UP?

Tony Mowbray is sweating over the availability of Dennis Cirkin and Lynden Gooch after the pair both suffered injuries in last weekend's win at Preston.

Cirkin was unable to reappear for the second half at Deepdale after suffering a badly swollen ankle, and was due to have scans to ascertain the seriousness of the problem at the start of the week. Gooch's problem is less severe, and he should be able to start against Luton.

With Sunderland rapidly running out of defensive options, Mowbray could be forced to name a three-man central defence if either player misses out, as he did for the second half against Preston.

The return of Dan Ballard from a serious hamstring problem would help, but the centre-half has not featured since suffering the injury while on international duty with Northern Ireland in March.

Sunderland (probable, 4-2-3-1): Patterson; Gooch, Hume, O’Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Ekwah; Roberts, Amad, Clarke; Gelhardt.

HOW ARE LUTON SHAPING UP?

With his side already guaranteed to finish in third position, Luton boss Rob Edwards made eight changes for Monday's final-day goalless draw with Hull City.

As a result, he was able to rest a number of his key performers, all of whom are likely to return for Saturday's first leg on Wearside.

Reece Burke returned from injury to take a place on the bench against Hull, and the defender will hope to be involved in the matchday squad again at the weekend.

Luton head into the play-offs in excellent form. The Hatters are on a 14-game unbeaten run, with their only Championship defeat since mid-January having come at the hands of champions Burnley.

Luton (probable, 3-5-2): Horvath; Lockyer, Bradley, Bell; Drameh, Mpanzu, Nakamba, Campbell, Doughty; Morris, Adebayo.

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