Sunderland return to home soil this weekend as they welcome Hull City to the Stadium of Light, KO 3pm.
Ahead of the Sky Bet Championship fixture, here’s your all you need to know guide…
LAST TIME OUT
Chris Coleman’s Black Cats made the long journey to south wales last weekend to face promotion hopefuls Cardiff City in their own backyard. While Sunderland produced a disciplined and organised first-half display to go in at the break level, the Bluebird flew out the traps after the restart and quickly punished their counterparts. Didier Ndong’s red card on 49 minutes added to Coleman’s misery as his injury-ravaged side endured a disappointing afternoon in the Welsh capital. Hull, meanwhile, have slipped down the league after a six-game winless run. While a goalless draw at home to Reading secured a second successive clean sheet for Nigel Adkins’ side, Hull sit just three points above the Black Cats.
TEAM NEWS
Gabon midfielder Ndong will serve the first match of his three-game ban while defender Marc Wilson has been ruled out by boss Coleman. Jonny Williams has shown signs of promise since returning to training after dislocating his shoulder, but Coleman has admitted the midfielder is still some way off making a return to action. The boss has also revealed Lamine Kone is a doubt while Paddy McNair remains sidelined. Adam Matthews, meanwhile, should return if he successfully comes through Friday’s training session.
Hull City could welcome back Will Keane for the first time in 14 months while defender Ondrej Mazuch and Kamil Grosicki could return.
TRIO SET TO RETURN
Standing in the Tigers’ ranks for Saturday’s match on Wearside are three familiar faces. Fraizer Campbell, who joined the Black Cats in July 2009, returns after scoring 10 goals in his four-year spell at the club. Swedish international Seb Larsson returns to his former club for the first time since departing in the summer. Larsson, who has made 25 appearances for the Tigers this season, played for the Blacks between 2011 and 2017 – scoring 14 times and making over 150 league appearances. David Meyler is the third face who used to ply his trade at the Stadium of Light. The 28-year-old joined the Black Cats in July 2008, however, like Campbell, endured a lengthy lay-off through injury which hampered his spell on Wearside. Making just 14 league starts in his four-year stay, Meyler moved to the KCOM in November 2012 on loan before making his switch permanent in January 2013.
STATS ZONE
Sunderland are unbeaten in four league matches against Hull City having won two and drawn two. That said, the Tigers head to Wearside having won one of their last three league matches at Sunderland. The Black Cats have failed to score in their last three matches while the Tigers have managed just one goal in their last six Championship games. As for the managers, Coleman and Adkins have not faced each other since February 2010. That day, Coleman’s Coventry were victorious as they defeated Scunthorpe United 2-1.
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.