Sunderland continue their Sky Bet Championship campaign on Saturday at Hull City’s KCOM Stadium.
Ahead of this weekend’s match, here’s your all you need to know guide…
- Follow the action from the KCOM Stadium
- Manager's view: 'The results will come' - Grayson
- Team news: Grabban and O'Shea to miss Hull trip
#HawayTheLads
THREE POINTS
Chasing their first win in the league since August’s 3-1 victory at Norwich City, Simon Grayson’s side head to Humberside in good spirits following a morale-boosting display against Nottingham Forest. Chances were aplenty for Sunderland however, crucially, they were punished for their lax finishing by Daryl Murphy who slotted home a late winner.
Hull, on the other end, will be glad to return home after back-to-back defeats. Derby County eased to a 5-0 victory over them last Friday, with Seb Larsson’s first-half penalty miss proving pivotal for Hull. The Tigers were then defeated at Craven Cottage on Wednesday as Fulham notched their first home win in 2017-18.
With both sides gunning for three points this Saturday, it could prove to be an interesting affair on Humberside…
WHAT THE HISTORY BOOKS SAY
Admittedly, the most important result is the one at 4.50pm tomorrow afternoon at the KCOM, but if the history books are anything to go by then maybe we could have some Sunderland cheer on Humberside. The Black Cats have lost just one of their previous five league matches at Hull, a run which includes May's 2-0 win at the KCOM. Jermain Defoe scored his last goal for Sunderland that afternoon after Billy Jones had opened the scoring. Sunderland have also previously managed a impressive 4-1 win at the KCOM in recent history, with Steed Malbranque netting a cracker that afternoon in December 2008. But what will happen tomorrow? Let us know your thoughts via Twitter, @SunderlandAFC.
FAMILIAR FACES
In contention to face Sunderland are three faces who have previously worn the famous red and white stripes. Larsson has made six appearances for Hull City and could start in the middle of the park against his former club on Saturday afternoon. The Swedish international spent six years on Wearside and made 203 appearances before leaving in the summer. Former Black Cat David Meyler could also line-up alongside Larsson in the heart of Hull’s team. The 28-year-old moved to the Stadium of Light in 2008 but saw his time on Wearside plagued with injuries before he later completed a move to the KCOM in 2013. Fraizer Campbell, who turned 30 on Wednesday, is the third and final former Black Cat who could feature as the Tigers look to return to winning ways.
DUO IN CONTENTION
Sunderland will be without Lewis Grabban and John O’Shea for Saturday’s trip to Hull City. Grabban was forced off with a hamstring injury in Tuesday’s night’s defeat to Nottingham Forest while John O’Shea didn’t feature after playing the second 45 against Sheffield United last weekend. Lamine Kone and Aiden McGeady, meanwhile, missed the midweek defeat to Forest but are expected to return to training today.
Hull City boss Leonid Slutsky will, however, have the same group of players as in midweek to choose from. The head coach has no new injury concerns while Evandro, Will Keane, Kevin Stewart, Abel Hernandez, Ryan Mason and Moses Odubajo remain absent.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Cash turnstiles are in operation and information is available by clicking here.
But if you’re unable to attend the game 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.
