Sunderland face their biggest test of the season this weekend as they take on runaway league-leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Black Cats will be looking to upset the odds at Molineux against a Wolves side that has won nine of their last ten games.
And you can read everything you need to know ahead of the game below…
A ROYAL RESPONSE
Chris Coleman will be looking for a response when Sunderland travel to Wolves despite the odds seemingly being stacked against the Black Cats. Wolves might be the top scorers in the division, with Leo Bonatini contributing 12 goals and five assists and Diogo Jota notching nine goals and four assists, but Sunderland have an attacking force of their own with Bonatini and Leon Clarke the only players to score more than Lewis Grabban. And he’ll need to be at his very best at Molineux with Cardiff City the only team to concede less than Wolves this season. Saturday’s game is a big challenge and Coleman admitted so, but he also stated that his players must rise to it, relish it and enjoy it. After last weekend, they must stand up and be counted.
PREMIER LEAGUE BOUND
Let’s be honest, Wolves are running away with the Sky Bet Championship and it looks increasingly likely that they’ll be playing top-flight football next season. An injection of investment in the summer saw club bring in a number of talented players with Ruben Neves signing from FC Porto for £15m as Monaco’s Ruben Vinagre, Atletico Madrid’s Jota and Al-Hilal’s Bonatini signed on loan. They currently sit 10 points clear of third and four points clear at the top of the table, with Nuno Espirito Santo named Championship Manager of the Month for November after guiding the club to four wins out of four.
ALL BANGED UP
Every manager loves to have options available but it’s a luxury that Coleman simply doesn’t have at his disposal heading into the festive period. Bryan Oviedo and Paddy McNair will both miss the trip to Molineux while Callum McManaman is suspended, with Lamine Kone, Jack Rodwell, Duncan Watmore and Jonny Williams also in the treatment room. Billy Jones and Didier Ndong are back in training but they won’t feature this weekend due to a lack of fitness, with the duo only returning to action on Thursday.
ASOR-NO OR ASOR-GO
Perhaps the biggest question heading into Saturday’s game is whether or not Coleman will call upon Joel Asoro from the start. The 18-year-old has come off the bench in each of Sunderland’s last three games, providing assists in the last two, and the Welshman’s options are severely depleted heading into the game. But Asoro won’t be the only one pushing to be included, with Lynden Gooch, who has two goals and three assists to his name, edging for a recall, as James Vaughan returns to the fold following a one-match ban. Josh Maja could also make his long-awaited return to action after being an unused substitute last weekend, but his involvement will come via the bench.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
NO tickets will be available on the day of the game.
But if you’re unable to attend we have comprehensive coverage of all the action as it happens across our digital channels.
Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be in the commentary booth from 2pm, with minute-by-minute analysis available right here and across social media from Twitter to Instagram.