Sunderland welcome Liverpool to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Wednesday.
The Black Cats suffered their seventh league defeat of the season last time out, falling 3-0 at Arsenal.
Liverpool’s struggles continued as they lost 2-1 to title hopefuls Manchester City at Anfield.
Match preview
Sunderland have enjoyed a brilliant return to the top flight, sitting seventh with 36 points, just three points adrift of Liverpool.
The hosts are the only side yet to lose at home, with only Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United collecting more home points.
The Black Cats have struggled lately, gathering seven points from their last six league outings – one more than Liverpool within that period.
However, Sunderland held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture and will be confident of getting another positive result here.
Liverpool are now five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, and that could increase before this fixture if they win at West Ham United.
The Reds have won just once in their last six league games, scoring 10 goals and conceding nine.
Arne Slot’s side have been poor on the road, sitting ninth in the away standings, raising concerns about how they will fare in this fixture.
The Merseyside giants have history on their side, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 league meetings with Sunderland.
Liverpool have won 18, drawn 12 and lost three of their previous 33 league meetings with Sunderland.
Team news
Sunderland remain without Granit Xhaka, Bertrand Traore and Jocelin Ta Bi.
Liverpool’s Dominic Szoboszlai is suspended. Alexander Isak, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong are sidelined through injury.
Predicted line-ups
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Mandava, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra, Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi, Brian Brobbey.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Alexis McAllister, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike.
Prediction
We fancy a 2-1 victory for Sunderland.
Stats from whoscored.com & transfermarkt.com.
