Hello and welcome to our live blog coverage of Middlesbrough vs Sunderland from the Riverside Stadium. Some call it a derby, others say it's not, but either way it's a big game between two North East rivals looking to be part of the Championship promotion scene this season.
For the Black Cats, Tony Mowbray takes charge of his first away game at a club he knows very well. It's almost his first proper game in charge, last week's 3-0 home victory over Rotherhham United coming just the day after his official appointment. A win on the road would be huge for Sunderland tonight, and they will fancy their chances.
Boro have not had the best of starts this season, after missing out on the play-offs last term. with just one win all season. That came in a 2-1 victory over Swansea in their last game at home, however, and manager Chris Wilder will be looking to build on that.
Sunderland are again set to feature Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms up front as they look to go for goals again. James Hunter is at the Riverside tonight to bring you all the latest as it happens.
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Louise remembered
A lovely gesture from Boro
Chris Wilder's pre-match thoughts
"I know they don’t look at this as a derby, but I think it’s going to be a tasty affair.
"It will be a full house, a great atmosphere and the kind of game we’re all here to look forward to. You look forward to every game really, but there are those games that take it to the next level, and certainly both sets of supporters will take it to the next level, and both sets of players will be looking to get that result that we’re both after.
"I’m sure Sunderland won’t sit back in terms of what they’ve got going forward, and with the bounce of a promoted side. I’ve been in that position myself a few times, going into a new division where you feel you can take anybody on. You’ve got that confidence and belief that has built from a play-off win at Wembley, and it’s been a good start from their point of view. Every game so far they’ve been competitive in, so no doubt they will be again.
"This is as tough as it gets this year at home, in my opinion. We need to turn up, but we have turned up all season. We need to put a balanced performance in – fire and ice as we call it – and make sure we’re nice and calm when we have to play, and then on the other side of it, we’re aggressive and competitive. That’s certainly what it’s going to be – it’s going to be aggressive and it’s going to be competitive."
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