Sunderland take on Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy final this afternoon.
Sunderland can add some silverware to their trophy cabinet this afternoon as they take on Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.
Both teams are focused on trying to win promotion to the Championship, but League One action takes a back seat today, with the Checkatrade Trophy on the line.
After getting through their group, Sunderland have knocked out Notts County, Newcastle United’s Under-21’s, Manchester City’s Under-21s’ and Bristol Rovers to reach the final.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth’s run has included wins over Arsenal Under-21’s, Southend United, Peterborough United and Bury, with Pompey now back at Wembley once again.
A host of players have featured for both teams over the years, but one major player with a foot in both camps is former striker Jermain Defoe.
The Rangers ace thrived with Pompey, hitting 17 goals in 36 games for the club before spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Toronto, which then took him on to Sunderland.
Defoe was a hero on Wearside, smashing 37 goals in 93 games for the club before making a move to Bournemouth in 2017, and then on to Rangers.
Ahead of today’s clash between his former clubs, Defoe has wished them both the best of luck, but seemed blown away by the incredible scenes at Trafalgar Square last night, with Sunderland fans partying in their thousands.
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