Sunderland return to the Stadium of Light this weekend as Manchester United travel to Wearside on Sunday (KO 1.30pm).
The first of three consecutive home games, David Moyes’ side are back on home soil following consecutive away defeats at Vicarage Road and the King Power Stadium.
Fine margins cost the Black Cats in both outings and they’ll be hoping that home comforts coincide with a reverse in fortunes, having failed to win since February’s big victory over Crystal Palace.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are enjoying a 20-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho’s side have a top-four berth set firmly in their sights with just eight PL games remaining, but they can ill afford any slip ups with Arsenal, Liverpool and rivals Manchester City also tasked with securing UEFA Champions League football.
Last time out the Red Devils clinched a last-gasp point against Everton at Old Trafford, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic finding the net in added time on his return to action.
An international team-mate of Seb Larsson, the irrepressible Swede has scored eight goals in his last seven PL games on the road and he’ll have to be stopped if the Black Cats want to cause an upset.
And an upset is exactly what they need, with manager Moyes admitting his side now need to upset the applecart if they’re catch the sides above them.
It’s been done before, though, and it’s been done against Manchester United, with the Black Cats defeating United at Old Trafford in 2014 and the Stadium of Light in 2016.
Lee Cattermole and Victor Anichebe, who returned at the King Power Stadium, are in contention but Jan Kirchhoff, Steven Pienaar, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore remain sidelined.
John O'Shea is also unavilable for selection and Adnan Januzaj is ineligible against his parent club.
Meanwhile, United and England captain Wayne Rooney out of the game due to ankle pain.
The striker came off the bench against West Bromwich Albiob last weekend but missed the subsequent stalemate with Everton on Tuesday evening.
Ashley Young will also miss out after being forced off against the Toffees, but Antonio Valencia is expected to return to the starting XI after being left out midweek due to tiredness.
Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Juan Mata are also unavailable.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME
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.
We’ll also be providing full match commentary, Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be ON AIR from 1pm.