Dan Neil is relishing the prospect of facing Sheffield Wednesday in Sunderland's final home fixture of 2021.
With 10 top-flight titles between the sides, the Stadium of Light showdown on Thursday evening is set to be an occasion to savour and a bumper crowed is expected.
The Lads enter the fixture with the knowledge that victory would see them enter the New Year in first place, but the Owls remain firmly in the promotion mix and three points could see them move back in top the top six.
Speaking to safc.com, Neil revealed his excitement ahead the Wearside match-up.
“I’m sure lots of supporters have had tickets for Christmas and returned to the North East for the festive period, so it should be a great occasion and a really good atmosphere.
“We have started the season well and we enter the New Year in a strong position, but we want to keep building that momentum and end 2021 with three points.”
He continued: “Thursday’s game is between two massive clubs – you only have to look at the history books and the size of both fan bases.
“I’m sure they will travel in numbers and the noise created by our supporters will make it feel like a real occasion, but as players we also want to react to the result in the reverse fixture.
‘We want to end the season in top spot [not just the calendar year], but that all starts with a big performance tomorrow.”