Ahead of tonight's game, we spoke to Burton journalist Colston Crawford who isn't confident of a win, despite Sunderland's woeful form in 2022...
Burton are 12th in the league. Are you happy with how things are going?
After last season looked, at New Year, as if it would end in certain relegation, a mid-table finish this time around would be very satisfactory as a largely new, significantly younger squad is bedded in. No one likes losing and you have to lose a fair few games in finishing mid-table but I think it would represent good progress.
How's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink doing?
Hasselbaink has a lot of credit in the bank after engineering last season's great escape and, when he arrived, was still revered by most for the impact he had had the first time he was at the club. He is rebuilding and moulding a new squad and making sure everyone has a chance so there has been a lot of chopping and changing of the side. This has cause some impatience with some supporters but, generally, it's still "in Jimmy we trust" among the fan base.
You've recently completed the signing of Oumar Niasse! What are your thoughts on the former Everton man coming to Burton?
I think it's a no-lose situation for Burton. If Oumar is fit and comes off, he could be too good for defences in this division. If he doesn't I doubt we will have lost much. This deal aims to work for both parties... for him to get a relatively low profile chance to rebuild his career, for Burton to get a proven goalscorer relatively cheaply and see where it goes. It has certainly excited the supporters.
Daniel Jebbison was your top scorer until he was recalled by Sheffield United in January. He also could have signed for Sunderland in the summer. What kind of player was he at Burton?
Jebbison is an exciting young talent with an eye for goal who was getting stronger and more aware with every game for Burton, He is also an intelligent and likeable lad with a great sense of humour. It was a shame Sheffield United felt the need to recall him at the end of January.
Do any Sunderland players worry you?
Ross Stewart's goal record is obviously excellent and we have seen Aiden McGeady's ability to put chances on a plate for others often enough in the past, depending on his fitness levels. Sunderland have looked as good a side as we have seen at the Pirelli Stadium in their last two visits but, as you know all too well, something always seems to go wrong for them in the second half of seasons.
With the Lads winning just one game so far in 2022, are you confident of adding to our misery?
Not especially, we are inconsistent and all bad runs end somewhere. But we have gone to the Stadium of Light in similar circumstances before and won, plus we haven't yet lost there, so you never know.
What's your score prediction?
1-1. Centre-half John Brayford is as likely to head one in from a set-piece as any other Burton player is to score. He is joint top scorer with five of those still at the club!
Where do you predict both sides to finish at the end of the season?
Burton exactly where they are now; Sunderland to fall just short of the play-offs.
