(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

Sunderland fans will be delighted at Premier League announcement for Nottingham Forest clash

Alex Charlton
Alex Charlton

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

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Sunderland have every right to feel confident when they travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Wilson Isidor secured Sunderland a deserved point against Aston Villa despite the Wearsiders being reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Forest have endured a chaotic start to the Premier League season, with Ange Postecoglou yet to win a game since taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo.

While the Black Cats may already fancy their chances, they can now be buoyed by the latest developments around the match.

Wilson Isidor points to the Sunderland badge in front of supporters.
(Credit: Imago)

Tony Harrington to referee Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland

As has been the case in most of their matches, Sunderland enter the match with Postecoglou's side as underdogs.

However, that will not faze Regis Le Bris' men one bit as they have thrived as the minnows so far this season.

Sunderland will have to make do without Habib Diarra, who will be out for an estimated six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a groin injury.

The Wearsiders coped just fine without their record signing against the Villans and were unlucky to come away with just a point.

Now, the Premier League have announced on 23 September that Harrington will referee the clash against Forest, and he could be a good omen.

Harrington has refereed four Black Cats matches since 2017, and they are unbeaten in all of those games.

  • 31 October 2017: Sunderland 3-3 Bolton Wanderers
  • 8 January 2019: Sunderland 4-0 Newcastle United under-23s
  • 31 August 2022: Sunderland 3-0 Rotherham United
  • 29 December 2023: Rotherham United 1-1 Sunderland

Of course, the standout result from his record is the 4-0 win that Sunderland achieved over the Newcastle under-23s in the EFL Trophy round of 16 in 2019.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris holding his hood
(Credit: Imago)

What is the Black Cats' record against Nottingham Forest?

Sunderland will be looking to mount more pressure on Postecoglou when the two teams meet at the City Ground.

While the Australian has not been in the Forest dugout long, there has been immense focus on the indifferent start that he has made.

A heavy defeat to Arsenal and a shock loss to Swansea City have stained his early days with the Tricky Trees, and things would become more woeful if the Wearsiders were to clinch all three points.

The Wearside club boast a strong record against the East Midlands side and have only lost two of their last 12 encounters.

  • Sunderland wins: 40
  • Draws: 24
  • Nottingham Forest wins: 33

Moreover, the Black Cats have won on their last two visits to the City Ground, having triumphed 1-0 in their latest meeting in 2017.

Le Bris' side are yet to win away from home this campaign, but have the ideal opportunity to taste victory at Forest.

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