Barrow’s performance this season has built on their showing in the last campaign when, having finished just one place outside the relegation zone in 2021-22, they finished 9th, and this season an unbeaten home record has been backed up by excellent away form, with no side having won more than their seven games away from Holker Street, and only Mansfield equalling that number. For a while in August it looked as though Sutton would be coming back from Cumbria with all three points, Lee Angol’s goal having put U’s in front following the dismissal of Harry Smith inside the first fifteen minutes, but two goals in three minutes in the last quarter of the game saw Sutton’s poor run at a ground on which U’s have never won continue.

Barrow’s record at Sutton isn’t much better, although a very late, deflected, Josh Kay shot did give them the points in 2019, but their last two visits have both ended in defeat by the only goal, Tope Fadahunsi coming off the bench to settle last season’s encounter in the August heat.

Former Sutton defender Junior Tiensia is still out injured for the Cumbrians but midfielders David Worrall and Luca Stephenson could both return. Manager Pete Wild will watch the game from the stands after receiving a two game touchline ban this week arising from the game at Accrington on 29 December.

Sutton have signed left sided midfielder Charlie Lakin on loan from Burton this week and he is in line for a debut, while Craig Eastmond and Hisham Kasimu both returned from injury lay-offs as substitutes at Plymouth last week. Harry Smith misses the third game of what is now a six game ban after his red card at Gillingham.

Referee Paul Howard is in his fourth season as an EFL referee and was most recently in charge of a Sutton game at Crawley at the end of September. His last visit to the VBS was for the 1-1 draw against Walsall last season.

Admission prices are as usual, being £21 for adults, £15 for concessions (age 60 and over/full time students with ID) and £7 for juniors age 12-18. Tickets for under 12s are free but must be bought in conjunction with an adult or concession ticket. Seat prices rise by £4 in all cases. You can buy tickets on line here. Tickets will also be on sale on the day, but there is a £2 increase in price for tickets bought in person on the day, an increase not applicable to any on line purchases.

As highlighted in this article, Saturday’s game will be a United in the Community game as part of the EFL’s Community Weekends which are taking place over the next two weekends. The fan zone will be open as usual from 12.30pm, with a Signal Hour between 12.30 and 1.30 when beers are £3.50 a pint. From 1.45pm Evettx will be performing live in conjunction with Basement Door, and from 1.45 there will also be children’s games in the fan zone with visits from players and Jenny the Giraffe.

As part of our ongoing partnership with Sutton Community Works we are inviting supporters to please bring food donations to the match. The collecting boxes will be set up near the fan zone, and any non-perishable foods will be greatly appreciated as we look to help Sutton Community Works tackle food poverty in Sutton at a time of year that is difficult for so many living without basic necessities.

A match programme can be ordered here to be sent out after the game, price £3 plus postage.

The game will as usual be covered on our iFollow service, with an audio commentary available in the UK and a live stream for overseas viewers. For UK listeners a match pass costs £2.50, with monthly passes available for £4.49. Overseas viewers can buy a video pass for £10, with a season pass available at the bargain rate of £85 until the end of January. Click here to buy the required pass.