Sunderland will hit the road on Saturday eyeing a third straight victory in League One.
The destination for the Black Cats is the Kassam Stadium where Oxford United await, hoping a win could spark their promotion push after a challenging few results.
For the Lads though, they have been in scintillating form of late and have banished memories of their defeat at Portsmouth with successive home victories over Ipswich Town and Rochdale.
Keeping a further two clean sheets in the process, Jon McLaughlin has now recorded six shutouts in his last seven games and has conceded just one goal on home turf since December 14.
Since then, the Lads have climbed League One and now sit fifth – four points of second place Peterborough United with two games in hand.
Sunderland have also claimed seven wins in their last 10 games and have lost just one of their previous 12.
Away from the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats will be keen to get back to winning ways after falling to defeat at Pompey on their last outing.
However, the Lads have won three of their previous four games, with Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch scoring four of Sunderland’s five goals on the road since Doncaster Rovers.
Oxford United, meanwhile, have won just one of their previous seven League One games.
That said, Karl Robinson’s side are much better on home turf and have lost just two league games at the Kassam this season, and have won three of their last five.
DON’T MISS A KICK
Sunderland will be backed by a sold out away end. Just under 2,000 fans will make the trip to Oxfordshire for game.
Streaming passes are on sale now 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.
