Sunderland return to the Stadium of Light on Saturday in search of their first home win of the campaign (KO 3pm).
Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City, who sit joint-top of the Sky Bet Championship table, stand in their way and it’s sure to be a rip-roaring contest on Wearside.
Read all you need to know below…
TALE OF THE TAPE
Saturday’s game is about one thing and one thing only – winning. The Lads have suffered a tough time at home in 2017 and they’re without a win since December 2016 when Watford were beaten thanks to a Patrick van Aanholt strike. They came close against Derby County on the opening day when they fully deserved to take three points, but recent outings against Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest have led to frustration and, ultimately, defeat. Simon Grayson said it doesn’t matter how it comes, it just needs to happen, and after a strong showing at Hull City the Black Cats will back themselves to overcome the Bluebirds and claim that long-awaited Stadium of Light win.
BLUEBIRDS FLYING HIGH
Cardiff have enjoyed a brilliant start to the 2017-18 season and no Sky Bet Championship side has amassed more points than the Bluebirds. With a total of 17, Warnock’s side sit third but only goal difference ensures they aren’t top of the pile, with leaders Leeds United and second-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers boasting a superior goal difference. That said, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Welsh side and they’re yet to register a league win in September, with a 3-0 defeat at Preston North End sandwiched between draws against Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday. All of the Bluebirds’ five league wins came in August and they came in succession, so Warnock and the traveling fans will be hoping that victory on Wearside can start another winning run.
BACK IN THE FOLD
Sunderland will once again be able to call upon Ty Browning and Brendan Galloway after the duo missed the midweek game at Goodison Park. The on-loan duo were able to face their parent club but are available for selection against the Bluebirds. And the return of Browning could be vital, with Simon Grayson rating John O’Shea and Marc Wilson as doubts for the SoL showdown. Aiden McGeady’s is also a doubt, but Duncan Watmore won’t be included in the squad as he continues to build his fitness with the under-23s. Cardiff, meanwhile, will be without Kadeem Harris, Callum Paterson and Lee Camp.
WHAT THE HISTORY BOOKS SAY
The last meeting between the sides was a memorable one as Sunderland romped to a 4-0 win at the Stadium of Light. Connor Wickham opened the scoring before Torres Ruiz was sent off and Fabio Borini slammed home the resulting penalty before half-time, but the second period followed in a similar fashion as late strikes from Emanuele Giaccherini and Wickham heaped further misery on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. The reverse fixture ended 2-2, with Ross Wallace scoring the winner in the last second-tier meetings between the two sides. Cardiff’s last win over the Black Cats came in 2006 when future Black Cat Michael Chopra scored twice in a 2-1 win.
FOLLOW ALL 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.