Sunderland’s FA Cup question: would Port Vale be an easier fifth-round trip than Bristol City? | OneFootball

Sunderland’s FA Cup win at Oxford United secured a first fifth-round spot in more than a decade, setting up a last 16 trip to Bristol City or Port Vale.

Sunderland Echo notes City are chasing the Championship play-offs, while Vale are bottom of League One and 12 points from safety, so many on Wearside will favour the underdogs at Vale Park on Tuesday.

At Ashton Gate last April, Sunderland lost 2-1. Trai Hume was sent off inside seven minutes, Eliezer Mayenda still put them ahead, then Rob Dickie and Ross McCrorie scored after the break. In December 2023, Tommy Conway’s penalty sealed a 1-0 defeat after Anthony Patterson fouled Taylor Gardner-Hickman.

In August 2022, the Black Cats won 3-2. Ellis Simms scored early, Andreas Weimann levelled, Chris Martin put City ahead after half-time, Simms equalised and Ross Stewart won it 18 minutes from time.

Their last Vale Park visit was a 2-1 League Cup win in August 2021, Josh Hawkes scoring before Aiden O’Brien converted a penalty won by Jack Diamond. In November 2018, Jack Ross’ side won 2-1 in the FA Cup, George Honeyman netting after 38 seconds, Lynden Gooch adding a second, and Tom Pope replying before half-time. The previous league meeting there, in November 1998, ended 2-0 via a Neil Aspin own goal and a Niall Quinn finish.

Recent history favours Vale Park, three straight wins, while City’s ground has yielded one victory and two defeats. The winners on Tuesday will host Sunderland.

Source: Sunderland Echo