Sunderland will face their penultimate home game of 2019 this weekend when Blackpool come to town.
Playing the first of their final three League One games in December; Phil Parkinson’s side take on The Tangerines targeting three points after a frustrating run of form.
Connor Ogilvile’s 89th minute goal last Saturday proved decisive down at Gillingham to hand them the points, leaving Sunderland winless in their last three league games.
Defeat last time out on home soil to Burton Albion came after Benji Kimpioka had netted a stoppage-time leveller against Coventry City to leave the Black Cats five points off the play-off spots.
Parkinson made no fewer than six changes to his starting XI at Priestfield Stadium last Saturday, with Max Power missing out through suspension.
He’s back available now following the completion of his one-game ban while Charlie Wyke banked some valuable minutes last Saturday on his road to recovery.
Lynden Gooch is also back in contention while Parkinson has revealed Aiden McGeady will not feature.
Blackpool, meanwhile, go into today’s game in fine fettle and have lost just one of their previous 10 games in all competitions.
In the league, The Tangerine’s form is just as impressive as they’ve lost once in 11 matches and are unbeaten in their last six games (W3, D3).
However, Simon Grayson’s side have failed to win on the road in the league since September – a run that’s seen them draw four straight games and fail to score in two of them.
Armand Gnanduillet, who netted at the Stadium of Light in February last season, is Blackpool’s leading scorer with 13 goals.
Liam Feeney has chipped in with nine assists while Nathan Delfouneso and Sullay Kaikai have also sharpened their attacking claws with 10 goals between them this term.
DON’T MISS A KICK
Cash turnstiles will be in operation at the Stadium of Light this weekend – full details.
Streaming passes are available for international fans.
BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes will be broadcasting live right here on safc.com from 1.30pm.
As ever, there will be comprehensive coverage across our digital channels including safc.com’s matchday blog and live updates on Twitter via @SunderlandAFC.
