North-east rivals set for record-breaking derby

Sunderland have marketed this game as ‘Race to 20K’ in terms of trying to reach an attendance of more than 20,000.

But the figure is set to smash the previous best of 11,137 for a match at this level between Sheffield United and London City in November 2022.

This is the first of four matches that the Lasses will play at the Stadium of Light this season.

Birmingham, Durham and Sheffield United will all travel up to the 48,707-capacity stadium in 2025, while other home matches will be held at their regular Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground.

Sunderland manager Mel Reay hopes any first-time attendees on Sunday can be hooked enough to become regular fans in the near future.

“It’s a bit different to Eppleton with fans cheering us on in the stands, but that’s what we want,” she told BBC Radio Newcastle.

“We fully understand that, as the game grows and that if there’s more than 1,800, we can’t play at Eppleton.

“So if we can get those numbers week-in, week-out who want to attend games, the Stadium of Light will be a regular occurrence.”