Sunderland will travel to MK Dons this weekend in search of their third straight League One win.
The Black Cats have enjoyed a flying start to 2020 and taken seven points from their opening three games to move within a whisker of the play offs.
A draw at Fleetwood Town on New Year’s Day got the ball rolling before a home double over Lincoln City and then table-toppers Wycombe Wanderers has seen excitement crank up a notch.
Having scored seven goals in the last two games on Wearside and kept two clean sheets in their last three matches at the Stadium of Light, momentum is certainly starting to build.
On a six-game unbeaten run also, Phil Parkinson’s side have won four of their last five League One fixtures, with Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch scoring a combine total of seven in that time.
However, standing in their way of closing the six-point gap at the top of League One are an inform MK Dons side who are doing everything they can to survive in the third tier.
Paul Tisdale’s dismissal at the start of November, after just one win in 11 games, was swiftly followed by the appointment of Russell Martin.
Despite a slow start at the Stadium MK helm, Martin recovered from a four-game losing start and has since lost just three of his last 10 matches in all competitions.
The Dons have lost just one of their last five League One fixtures, but have won their last three games on home soil and conceded just once in that time.
The victories have been made even more impressive by the fact they have been against promotion hopefuls Oxford United, Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers.
Tom Flanagan, meanwhile, is back after going off at half time in the Lads’ win over Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.
DON’T MISS A KICK
Cash turnstiles will be in operation for Sunderland fans wishing to pay on the door.
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 2pm.
As ever, there will be comprehensive coverage across our digital channels including safc.com’s matchday blog and live updates on Twitter via @SunderlandAFC.
