- Sunderland U21 squad Ready for Premier League Cup Final on Thursday
- Archie Lightfoot on the need to win the Premier League Cup for the fans
- A quick scan of the stats pack for both clubs
Thursday’s Premier League Cup final at the Stadium of Light against Burnley U21 proves the work coach Graeme Murty has done with the Sunderland U21 squad.
The Black Cats are here by dint of hard work after seeing off Blackburn Rovers in the semi-final 4-2.
Now the squad heads to the Stadium of Light, with left-back Archie Lightfoot confident of winning silverware to wrap up the season.
The match between the two clubs is scheduled for 7pm BST on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland U21 squad Ready for Premier League Cup Final
Unlike the senior side, the Sunderland Academy is on the brink of making history. And the feeling among the squad is mutual. For the first time, they have a chance to get their hands on the trophy after finishing as runners-up in other competitions in previous years.
And 18-year-old defender Archie Lightfoot has expressed how his colleagues are “ready” for Burnley.
“All of the lads are buzzing for it, to be fair, and we’re ready too,” he the club’s official website SAFC.com
“We know how big an achievement it would be if we were to win – but we’re focused on the game itself. We want to do it for them – and the club.”
Meanwhile, the team is already playing a series of friendlies to ensure they’re in peak condition. A 2-2 draw with Wolves behind closed doors has given Murty and the technical staff a chance to assess the squad’s readiness for the showdown.
It’s a dream to win the Premier League Cup in front of the fans, says Archie Lightfoot
After hosting other top matches such as the Under-21s’ Premier League International Cup matches and the PL Cup semi-final this season, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will bring more eyes to next Thursday’s final.
And the decision to play at the 48,707-capacity stadium in the North East resonates strongly with youngster Archie Lightfoot. It has been his dream venue since he was drafted into the Sunderland Academy.
Although he has played a couple of games here, the feeling of playing a final is surreal.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to play where the first team play,” he said.
“We’ve had a few games here already this season – and they’ve been really good experiences. Having fans there gives us an even bigger reason to win the game, because they’ll have come out to support us. And hopefully I’ll be able to play there in the next few years in the first team.”
A quick scan of the stats pack for both clubs
Though the final isn’t at a neutral ground, Sunderland underestimate the young Clarets at their own peril. Andy Farrell’s side have no pressure, unlike their opponents who are playing in front of the fans. That should allow the visitors to relax and execute their game plan.
However, the last five matches for both clubs haven’t been impressive, and problems abound on both sides. Murty’s side are free-scoring, with as many as 12 goals in their last outings, but careless at the back, conceding 10.
For their opponents, it’s a two-edged problem: they concede and struggle to score. That’s evident in how they scored only five goals and conceded six across 450 minutes of football.
Nevertheless, it’s been one win apiece in the last two head-to-head meetings. The Black Cats hold a significant 3-0 victory from the most recent tie.
If the form guide is anything to go by, we should expect a really rough contest. But with Sunderland U21 playing at the Stadium of Light, we’re predicting total match goals over 2.5.
