Suttonvs.Accrington

The hosts are just three points from safety heading into this game but both the teams above them hold the advantage of games in hand, while the visitors are much more comfortable in 16th place.

Match preview

Sutton started this season in excellent fashion when they battered the newly-promoted Notts County 5-1 on the opening day, followed by beating League One Cambridge United on penalties in the EFL Cup.

However, it quickly went downhill for Sutton as they went on a 10-game winless run that left them bottom of the table, and that type of form has continued throughout the campaign as they have embarked on large spells without victory which have resulted in Sutton managing just six wins in the league all season.

Long-term manager Matt Gray was sacked after over four years in charge of the club with his side still firmly bottom of the league after 21 games, with the final match seeing his side hammered 8-0 by Stockport County.

Interim manager Jason Goodliffe was unable to change anything around for his side before Steve Morison's arrival in January, and while Morison has struggled for victories in his time in charge he has been able to lead his side to as many draws as defeats, something that has helped keep their survival chances alive.

With just seven games now remaining until the end of the season, Sutton find themselves in a position where survival is largely out of their own hands, with both Forest Green Rovers and Colchester United three points above them but with games in hand still to play.

All Morison can do is try to build on their massive 1-0 victory over relegation rivals Forest Green in their previous outing and hope that those above them continue to drop points.

As for Accrington, they have also seen their long-term manager John Coleman be dismissed this season after a run of just five victories in 20 league games from late October up until the beginning of March.

Coleman was enjoying his second stint in charge of Accrington, which started in September 2014, with his first spell spanning from September 1999 up until January 2012, meaning he had taken charge of 1,098 games during his time at the club.

Former captain John Doolan has been appointed as interim manager and has taken his side to one loss, one draw and one victory during his three games in charge.

While they find themselves comfortably in mid-table with 17 points separating them from the bottom three, there is a possibility for them to put together a late charge towards the playoffs as they are just seven points behind seventh-placed AFC Wimbledon.

Doolan will have to get his side firing and take them on a winning run from now until the end of the season if there is any chance of them making a late push, and they will fancy their chances of kickstarting that against a Sutton side that they beat 4-1 earlier this campaign.

Sutton United League Two form:

D

W

L

D

L

W

Accrington Stanley League Two form:

L

L

L

L

W

D

Team News

Sutton have just the one injury concern to think about ahead of this game after winger Josh Coley was forced off in the 70th minute of their 1-0 victory over Forest Green last weekend having scored the winning goal earlier in the match.

Deon Moore, who came on to replace Coley in the previous game, is expected to stand in for the injured right winger in the upcoming game against Accrington.

As for the visitors, they also have a single player out through injury in this game with goalkeeper Toby Savin still absent after injuring his shoulder against Tranmere Rovers back in September.

Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek was brought in on loan during the January window, starting all 11 games since his arrival, and Doolan is likely to remain with Vitek as his number one with the keeper impressing in his time at the club so far.

Sutton United possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Jackson, Sowunmi, Kizzi, Hart; Lakin, Beautyman; Moore, Duke-McKenna, Sanderson; Smith

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Vitek; Mellor, Hills, Gubbins, O'Brien; Martin, Leigh; Nolan, Adedoyin, Whalley; Woods

We say: Sutton United 0-3 Accrington Stanley

While Sutton will be desperate to build upon their previous victory over relegation rivals Forest Green as they look to make ground on the two teams above them, Accrington have proved throughout the course of the season that they are capable of big victories, including a 4-1 win in the previous encounter between these sides.

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