It's an important Easter weekend for Sutton's Sky Bet League Two play-off aspirations with two games against teams above U's and currently sitting in the play-off positions.
On Monday U's head north to face sixth placed Bradford City but first on Friday welcome Stockport County, who are one place above Bradford, to the VBS Community Stadium (3.00pm).
Stockport are making a concerted effort for back to back promotions having won National League championship last season under Dave Challinor, who had the previous season guided Hartlepool to promotion via the National League play-offs. They made a slow start at the higher level, winning three of their first thirteen games before a strong run of seven wins in their next ten games saw them climb the table and, with just one defeat in their last thirteen games, they are currently four points short of the automatic promotion places. Recent games have been tight affairs and the last time they either scored or conceded more than one goal in a game was in the 2-1 win at Rochdale six weeks ago. Stockport's squad on Friday should include Isaac Olaofe, such an integral part of Sutton's success over the past two seasons while on loan from Millwall.
Sutton will be oping to atone for October's 3-0 defeat at Edgeley Park at a time when Stockport were in fine form, a result that was shaped considerably by the controversial third minute dismissal of Omar Bugiel. Coby Rowe has recovered from the mild concussion that forced him to miss the draw at Walsall, while winger Josh Neufville, who has been sidelined since January, is also now back to fitness and available for selection.
Referee Neil Hair is making his second visit of the season to Sutton, having taken charge of the game against Harrogate in September. He was also in the middle for the Boxing Day win at Crawley and is in his fifth season as an EFL referee.
Tickets are on sale on line right up to kick off, and can be bought here. Prices are £20 for adults, £14 for concessions and £6 for juniors aged between 12 and 18. Tickets for under 12s are free if bought in conjunction with an adult or concession ticket. Stand seats are £5 more in all cases. 2022-23 season tickets are of course valid. While tickets will be on sale at the ground on Friday afternoon, prices for adults and concessions rise by £2 for tickets bought on the day in person, an increase not applicable to on line sales, and with a large crowd expected we would recommend buying on line.
The match programme is available to order on line to be sent out after the game. Click here to order yours.
If you can't get to the game it is being live streamed through our iFollow service, and passes can be bought for £10 here. Monday's game at Bradford will also be live streamed.
The fanzone opens at 12 noon as usual tomorrow offering pre-match food and drink for Sutton supporters. Tomorrow we welcome back Pizza di Prato who will be selling wood fired pizzas.
