Sunderland head to the Theatre of Dreams on Boxing Day to take on an inform Manchester United team (kick-off 3pm).
Last weekend saw the Black Cats produce a cohesive performance to edge past Walter Mazzarri’s Watford at the Stadium of Light.
The victory, courtesy of Patrick van Aanholt’s second-half strike, moved David Moyes’ side to within a point of Crystal Palace and halted their run of back-to-back defeats.
With four wins from their last seven games, the Lads are beginning to find their feet as they look to climb the Premier League.
However, Moyes is no fool and will be fully aware that the Black Cats face three crucial festive fixtures with a trip to his old stomping ground, Old Trafford, up first.
Manchester United, meanwhile, welcome Sunderland with high hopes of extending their winning run to five straight matches.
Jose Mourinho’s side look to have turned a corner and are unbeaten in the Premier League in eight matches, dating back to their 4-0 defeat at Chelsea in October.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has found his feet in the Premier League and has scored an impressive 11 goals in 16 league matches this season.
With three goals in his last two games, the 35-year-old is likely to head United’s attack but he isn’t the only threat Sunderland will have to be wary of on Monday.
The world’s most expensive player, Paul Pogba, will be pulling the strings from midfield while Jose Mourinho can also rely on Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Ibrahimovic to conjure up goalscoring chances.
To help Moyes’ cause though, he will have Jermain Defoe to lean who has scored more goals on Boxing Day in the Premier League than any other current player in the division, with six strikes.
Defoe has also struck eight times this season while Victor Anichebe and Patrick van Aanholt have also scored three goals this term.
Moyes remains without long-term absentees Lee Cattermole, Paddy McNair, Duncan Watmore and Lynden Gooch.
Jan Kirchhoff has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks after knee surgery while Steven Pienaar, Billy Jones and Javier Manqullio have returned to training.
Meanwhile, Mourinho has confirmed Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind are fine.
The Portuguese also revealed Luke Shaw is close to a comeback.
Travelling fans are reminded this game is a sell-out. Fans wishing to attend (in the away end) who do not have a match ticket will be refused entry.
If you can’t make the game, then don’t fear because we have every base covered with extensive coverage on safc.com and on Twitter by following @SunderlandAFC.
Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be ON AIR from 2pm.
