Sunderland are back on home soil for another vital double header as they face Bristol Rovers and Fleetwood Town in the space of four days.
The Black Cats will take on Rovers first at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, eyeing a fourth straight win and clean sheet.
Phil Parkinson’s men have been in excellent form of late and have lost just one of their last 13 games in all competitions.
Sunderland have also recorded seven clean sheets in eight games, an achievement matched by no other side in the top four tiers of English football in 2020.
On top of that, the Lads have claimed more points than any other side in the top four divisions in England, claiming 23 points from the possible 27 on offer.
As for the Black Cats’ home form, they won four of their last five and have kept a handful clean sheets in their last six matches.
Sunderland have also conceded just one goal at the Stadium of Light since December 14 when they drew with Blackpool.
Having gone three games without making a change to the starting XI, Parkinson will be forced into changing things up on Saturday following the loss of Bailey Wright for eight to 12 weeks.
The Australian, who joined on loan from Championship club Bristol City, suffered an ankle ligaments injury during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Oxford United.
That means Alim Ozturk looks set to return while Joel Lynch is back in the training.
Bristol Rovers, meanwhile, have seen their play-off hopes diminish in recent months as they previously endured an 11-game winless run.
That ended last weekend, though, when they came from behind to defeat 10-men Blackpool at the Memorial Stadium.
Ben Garner’s side are now unbeaten in their last two games but are without an away win in any of their last six league matches – dating all the way back to Ipswich Town on December 14.
Since then, the Pirates have claimed just three points from a possible 18 available on the road, and they have conceded three goals on three occasions in that time. Bristol have also only scored twice in each of their last six league games away from home.
DON’T MISS A KICK
Cash turnstiles will be in operation at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Streaming passes are available for international fans wishing to tune in from around the world.
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.
