In a clash that could affect the race for the title and promotion, Sunderland are set to host West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday at the Stadium of Light in their 17th Championship fixture of the campaign.
The hosts are second in the table with 32 points and drew 1-1 draw with Millwall on Saturday, while the visitors are sixth with 26 points after 16 games and drew 2-2 with Norwich City on November 23.
Match preview
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Sunderland are currently level on points with first-placed Leeds, and though both sides have conceded just 12 times, the Black Cats' tally of 26 goals scored is two fewer than the league leaders.
These returns mean that Tuesday's hosts rank as the division's third-best offensive and joint fourth-best defensive team.
The Black Cats controlled the first half against Millwall, taking the lead after 10 minutes while limiting their opponents to just one shot, but they eventually succumbed to the Lions in the second half when they conceded a 93rd-minute equaliser.
Manager Regis Le Bris suggested that his side would have taken three points against Millwall had the team used the ball better, telling reporters: ""We won the first contacts often and after the second ball, we often were not able to keep the ball when it was possible. We had a big space to exploit, as was the case just before the equaliser."
Le Bris's players have not experienced defeat in their last nine games, but they have failed to achieve victory in any of their past four matches.
Sunderland have also drawn two of their three most recent fixtures at the Stadium of Light, though they are unbeaten in their seven home games this term, winning five.
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Opponents West Brom produced double Norwich's total of 11 shots, though both teams had an equal share of possession and created two big chances.
Manager Carlos Corberan said that he believed his team edged proceedings but noted his displeasure with his side's defensive display, saying: "The team has taken a positive step in attack but at the same time we have suffered more chances and goals than we want to suffer in the first half."
The Baggies occupy the final promotion playoff spot in the Championship thanks to having better goal difference than seventh-placed Watford.
Interestingly, while West Brom's return of 18 goals scored is the worst among the sides in the top 13, their record of 11 goals conceded is only bettered by third-placed Sheffield United and fourth-placed Burnley.
Corberan will be alarmed by the Baggies' form, as while they have not lost in eight games, they failed to score on four occasions in that period, drawing seven times.
West Brom have also only won once in their five most recent away outings, losing once and being held to a stalemate three times.
Team News
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The hosts will be unable to call upon forwards Ahmed Abdullahi and Ian Poveda, while Aaron Connolly is a doubt due to a knock.
In their absence, Eliezer Mayenda, Milan Aleksic and Tom Watson could start behind striker Wilson Isidor.
Sunderland are also set to be without defenders Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins, as well as midfielder Salis Abdul Samed, so expect to see a backline consisting of Luke O'Nien, Chris Mepham, Daniel Ballard and Ajibola-Joshua Alese.
However, Jobe Bellingham is set to return after serving the last of his three-match suspension against Millwall, and he will almost certainly partner Dan Neil in a double pivot.
West Brom will have to cope with the absence of right-back Darnell Furlong, who is suspended as a result of accumulating too many yellow cards, and he may be replaced by Reece Hall.
Centre-backs Kyle Bartley, Patrick McNair and Semi Ajayi are unlikely to appear again until early December, and perhaps the away side will deploy Mason Holgate and Torbjorn Heggem in the heart of defence.
Striker Daryl Dike has also been ruled out until the middle of next month, and this could mean Karlan Grant and Josh Maja continue to lead the forward line.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; O'Nien, Mepham, Ballard, Alese; Bellingham, Neil; Mayenda, Aleksic, Watson; Isidor
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Hall, Holgate, Heggem, Styles; Fellows, Molumby, Mowatt, Johnston; Maja, Grant
We say: Sunderland 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
Despite West Brom scoring twice last time out, they have found difficulties in front of goal recently, and it would not be surprising if they failed to score once again.
However, Sunderland have struggled for victories in the past weeks and though the hosts will no doubt be buoyed by their home crowd, Tuesday's clash will likely be a close affair.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
