Sunderland play host to Leeds United on Friday evening with one of these teams in line to end the game at the top of the Championship standings.
Although the Black Cats already occupy that position, the visitors to the Stadium of Light will edge past them with a two-goal victory.
Match preview
© Imago
With Sunderland having lost their last two away fixtures, there have been signs that the wheels may have started to come off after a storming start to the second-tier campaign.
However, Regis Le Bris' team have been sensational in front of their home supporters, recording four successive victories without conceding a single goal.
The latest of those came on Tuesday night as Sunderland posted a 2-0 win over Derby County, with Jobe Bellingham and Wilson Isidor netting either side of half time.
Despite being the division's top goalscorers with 16 strikes, no-one has netted more than the three goals by Romaine Mundle, there having been a total of 10 different contributors.
Although Le Bris would perhaps prefer to possess a standout number nine in his squad, the Frenchman will be reassured with how many players are chipping in with efforts in the final third.
From Leeds' perspective, they have been far from impressive in 2024-25, even though their only defeat in eight has come at the hands of Burnley.
Four of their eight games have ended in triumphs with clean sheets, but the three draws have left them down in four spot in the table.
Daniel Farke's side came from behind to earn a share of a spoils at his former club on Tuesday, Leeds registering a 1-1 draw at Norwich City.
Leeds are another team whose leading marksman has only netted three times in Joel Piroe, but a run of 13 points from their last six games suggests that the Yorkshire giants may be clicking into gear as a collective unit.
Team News
© Imago
Barring any fitness issues, Le Bris may be prepared to select the same Sunderland XI, helped by a second home game in a row.
The likes of Alan Browne and Ian Poveda were two of four players introduced in the final 16 minutes versus Derby County, the former an option if Le Bris requires fresh legs.
However, Poveda lasted just 11 minutes courtesy of a muscle problem and has already been ruled out until after the October international break.
Meanwhile, Farke has further issues in midfield with Ilia Gruev having suffered a knee injury during the early stages of the game at Norwich.
With Ethan Ampadu out until 2025, Joe Rothwell is in line to make his first Championship start of the season.
Piroe and Patrick Bamford are both options in the final third if Mateo Joseph drops out of the attack having failed to score in his last four appearances.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Rigg, Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Isidor, Mundle
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Joseph
We say: Sunderland 1-1 Leeds United
The quick turnaround brings around a certain level of uncertainty with both managers likely to be tempted with some rotation. However, combined with their respective form, we feel that a low-scoring draw is the most likely outcome in the North East.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
