Ben Wilkinson is relishing the challenge of Sunderland as our Under-18s aim to win the U18 Premier League North this weekend.

Saturday’s 13:00 (UK) kick-off with the Black Cats at the CFA, which is available on CITY+ and Recast, sees the division’s top two sides lock horns as the season reaches fever pitch.

Victory against the Wearsiders would see City claim an unprecedented third consecutive PL U18 North crown, with us sitting one point above the visitors this weekend in what is the north east side’s penultimate league fixture.

However, with Sunderland harbouring their own title ambitions, the meeting in Manchester is shaping up to be an exhilarating affair.

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And Wilkinson is eagerly anticipating the meeting with Adam Ashgar’s side.

“[We’re] excited. I think for us at the start of the season, and to get to this point of the season, to try and be in this position is something we aim for as an Academy and an Under-18s team,” he said.

“Obviously [I’m] pleased we’ve got to this point ad put ourself in the position where we can get these sort of games which a real test for us to kind of pitch where are boys are at this moment and this year in terms of how they’ve developed from the start of the season.

“Excited for the game and it should be a real good game.

“It’s not that often you get this kind of scenario at this stage of the season, so it’ll be a really good occasion for everyone.”

Watch Wilkinson’s full Sunderland preview in the video above!