SUNDERLAND fans took over Trafalgar Square on Friday night ahead of their League One play-off final against Wycombe at Wembley.
The Blacks Cats are aiming to be promoted back to the Championship following their relegation to the third-tier of English football in 2018.
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They failed to secure an instant return to the following campaign after losing against Charlton at the Home of Football in the play-off final.
But fans are hopeful of Wembley success the time around as they flocked to London ahead of Saturday afternoon’s clash.
Over 40,000 supporters are expected to attend the fixture, and those that travelled down to the capital on Friday made their presence known.
Fans were spotted in Trafalgar Square in a joyous mood as they chanted “I’m Sunderland ’til I die” as they lit red flares.
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One fan even stripped down to his underwear as he stood on top of a fountain.
Sunderland go into the game as favourites having failed to taste defeat in their last 15 games since February.
But they don’t have history on their side after losing in their last three play-off finals.
Boss Alex Neil has insisted his players have to be in the right frame of mind to seal a return to the Championship.
He said: “I don’t want to be in League One but you have to earn the right [to be promoted].
“We need to focus on this and what we need to do.
“In terms of where we are, it would be a huge disappointment if we weren’t successful.”
Wycombe meanwhile are looking to seal an instant return to the Championship after finishing 22nd last season.
They showed their grit and determination after beating MK Dons in the play-off semi final, with gaffer Gareth Ainsworth hopeful of beating Sunderland.
He remarked: “The message to my players is to just totally focus on what could go right. If you visualise something enough times, I think they happen.
“In my life I’ve wanted something so bad, visualised it, repeated it, and it happens.”
