Sunderland face seismic encounter this weekend as David Moyes’ men face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (KO 3pm).
The Black Cats are fresh off a superb stalemate with Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light, with Mauricio Pohcettino’s title chasers held to a point.
But the Eagles also soared midweek as Sam Allardyce picked up his first win at the club.
Scott Dann and Christian Benteke were on the scoresheet against AFC Bournemouth, with Wilfried Zaha – back from the Africa Cup of Nations – putting in a man-of-the-match display.
Victory over the Cherries came as a big relief for Big Sam, with Palace picking up just two points from the last 24 prior to Tuesday’s trip to the Vitality Stadium.
Just three points separate them in the top-flight table.
Reinforcements could be key with Moyes and Allardyce both adding to their ranks in the January transfer window, with Joleon Lesccot – on the bench against Spurs – Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson vying to make their debuts.
Oviedo, 26, is tipped to start with Javier Manquillo filling in at left-back against Tottenham, but the Black Cats will once again be without Papy Djilobodji who will serve the second game in a four-match ban.
Jordan Pickford, Paddy McNair, Jan Kirchhoff, Lee Cattermole, Duncan Watmore and Victor Anichebe will once again miss out through injury.
Meanwhile, Patrick van Aanholt made his first appearance for the Eagles in Tuesday’s win, but the Dutchman soon became old news as Mamadou Sakho and Luka Milivojevic sealed deadline-day moves to Selhurst Park.
Fellow new arrival Jeff Schlupp is a doubt however he could be fit to face the Lads, but former Black Cat Connor Wickham will miss out due to a season-ending knee injury.
Steve Mandanda is also out due a knee problem, with Pape Souare unavailable due to a broken leg.
The last meeting between the two sides came in September and it was an absolute cracker, albeit one Sunderland wanted to forget as quickly as possible.
Moyes' side moved into a commanding 2-0 lead as Jermain Defoe struck twice, but Joe Ledley swiftly pulled one back before Joe McArthur levelled with 14 minutes to play.
Christian Benteke, so often a thorn in Sunderland’s side, had the decisive say in the 94th minute, heading home to hand three points to Palace.
But the Eagles have often struggled at home against the Black Cats who have won on each of their last two trips to Selhurst Park.
Let’s hope it’s a happy hat-trick come 5pm on Saturday.
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