Aussies Abroad preview: Wright to go again after 'excellent' Sunderland debut

After making an impressive start to his Sunderland career midweek, Bailey Wright and the Black Cats are gearing up for a trip to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth this weekend.

The 27-year-old centre back - who signed a loan deal at the Stadium of Light from Championship club Bristol City last week - made his full debut for Phil Parkinson's side in a 1-0 victory over Tranmere on Thursday (AEDT).

It was Wright's first league appearance since last November, and one which drew immediate praise from Sunderland boss Parkinson as the Black Cats kept a fourth clean sheet in as many matches to go fifth in League One. 

“He's a good reader of the game, was very solid, an excellent performance," he told the Sunderland Echo

“It was a very good debut, very good."

Next up for Wright is a trip to promotion rivals Portsmouth at 2.00am on Sunday morning.

Read on for a preview of the weekend's action for your Socceroos stars. All kick off times are in AEDT. 

Bailey Wright
Bailey Wright made an impressive first outing for Sunderland on Thursday (AEDT)

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Mooy out to mark new deal

Aaron Mooy will look to celebrate making his move to Brighton and Hove Albion permanent when the Seagulls host West Ham United in a crucial Premier League clash on Sunday morning.

Socceroos star Mooy inked a three and a half year deal at the AMEX Stadium late last week, having joined Graham Potter's men on loan from Championship outfit Huddersfield Town on transfer deadline day in August 2019. 

After being eased into the picture by Potter early in the season, former Hyundai A-League maestro Mooy has been in sensational nick for the East Sussex-based team, starting 11 of Brighton's last 12 league fixtures. 

He and teammate Maty Ryan travel to the London Stadium this weekend knowing a positive result could be hugely significant in the club's battle for top flight survival.

Brighton, currently 15th, are two points behind 17th placed West Ham ahead of the clash. West Ham have never beaten the Seagull in the Premier League in five attempts. 

In the Championship, Jackson Irvine and Hull City entertain Brentford at 11.30pm on Saturday, while Massimo Luongo's Sheffield Wednesday are in action against Millwall at 2.00am on Sunday. Kenny Dougall's Barnsley visit Charlton at 2.00am.

Down in League One, Harry Souttar's Fleetwood Town host Doncaster at 2.00am.

 

Mooy Brighton deal
Mooy signed a permanent deal with Brighton and Hove Albion last week

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Socceroos in the title hunt

Tom Rogic and Celtic are looking to extend their lead atop the Scottish Premiership away to Hamilton on Sunday 11.30pm. Celtic are five points ahead of Rangers ahead of the weekend's action. 

Meanwhile, Martin Boyle's Hibernian face St. Mirren at home on Sunday 2.00am. 

Over in Germany, Mathew Leckie and Hertha Berlin entertain Schalke at 6.30am on Saturday, while Brandon Borrello's Freiburg travel to FC Koln in Monday's 1.30am kick off.

Adjin Hrustic's Groningen are eighth in the Eredivisie - they visit PEC Zwolle on Sunday morning at 6.45am.

Aziz Behich and Istanbul Başakşehir are five points off leaders Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Liga ahead of their home clash against Genclerbirligi on Saturday, 4.00am. 

Trent Sainsbury's Maccabi Haifa are also in the title mix up over in Israeli. Sainsbury's men host Hapoel Kfar Saba at 2.30am on Sunday.

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On home soil 

Closer to home, Melbourne City forward Jamie Maclaren and his Melbourne City side travel to Adelaide United at 7.30pm on Saturday, Josh Risdon's Western United are in action against Newcastle Jets at 5.00pm that day.

Mitch Duke's Western Sydney Wanderers, meanwhile, are on the road against Central Coast Mariners on Sunday 4.00pm.

Jamie Maclaren
Melbourne City and Socceroos front man Jamie Maclaren