An all-North East play-off final would be 'insane' but former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer would love to see Sunderland and Boro battle it out at Wembley for a place in the Premier League next season.
Tony Mowbray's Black Cats head into the final two games of the season in sixth place in the Championship, with Watford to face at the Stadium of Light on Saturday followed by a final-day showdown with Preston North End at Deepdale. Such is the close nature of this season's batle that eight teams could yet take the final two places, with Sunderland one point behind fifth-placed Coventry and level with Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.
West Brom and Preston are two poiints behind the Black Cats, while Norwich and Swansea still retain an interest, sitting just three points behind the Black Cats. Boro have no such concerns, of course, having sewn up a play-off spot, and are now battling with Luton Town to see who will finish third.
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There's still so much to play for, but the thought of a Sunderland vs Middlesbrough play-off final has already been talked about across the North East. And Australian goalkeeper Schwarzer, who played 466 times for Boro in an 11-year spell on Teesside, feels it would be great for the region.
“You know what would be great would be a Middlesbrough and Sunderland final,” Schwarzer told The GegenPod. “It would be insane. It would be an amazing atmosphere, because the rivalry between the two clubs is obviously huge and it would be great to see another team from the North East back into the Premier League again.
“Newcastle needs another rival as well. They are special to play in, it’s very unique - we’ve seen what’s happening with Newcastle now and the way that the clubs have gone and the atmosphere.
“Newcastle’s always had an amazing atmosphere, even when the times weren’t great for Newcastle the fans still put on a really good show. I always loved playing up there, as I loved playing at Sunderland funnily enough as they’re the biggest rivals, and the amount of abuse you receive, I really enjoyed playing there. I would love to see those fixtures back in the Premier League again”
Boro end their campaign with a trip to Rotherham on Monday (May 1, 1pm) before hosting play-off chasing Coventry City at the Riverside on the final day.
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