Sunderland will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Championship when they continue their campaign with a clash against an out-of-form Derby County outfit on Tuesday night.
The Black Cats, who are fourth in the Championship table, missed two late penalties in their goalless draw with Burnley last time out, while 19th-placed Derby will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Watford.
Match preview
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Derby were promoted from League One last season, so avoiding relegation is their main aim for this term, and by that standard, it has thus far been a relatively successful campaign for the club.
Indeed, a record of seven wins, six draws and 14 defeats from 27 matches has brought them 27 points, which has left them in 19th spot in the table, one point above the relegation zone.
Paul Warne's side are in worrying form, though, losing each of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 defeat to Watford on Saturday, while they were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Leyton Orient in the third round.
Derby, who have a huge game against fellow strugglers Cardiff City next weekend, have picked up 20 of their 27 points on home soil this season, which should hand them confidence ahead of their clash with Sunderland.
The Rams have not managed to overcome Sunderland in any competition since February 2001 in the Premier League, though, and it was 2-0 to the Black Cats in the reverse game earlier this term.
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Sunderland incredibly had two penalties saved in the latter stages of their Championship clash with Burnley on Friday night, with goalkeeper James Trafford twice keeping out Wilson Isidor, as the points were shared in a goalless draw.
In the grand scheme of things, a point at Burnley is a strong result, but that is not the case considering the circumstances, with the Black Cats passing up the chance to secure a huge three points at the home of one of their promotion rivals.
Sunderland are fourth in the Championship table, boasting a record of 14 wins, nine draws and four defeats from 27 matches, which has seen them collect 51 points, just four points behind second-placed Sheffield United.
Regis Le Bris's side have the fourth-best away record in the Championship this season, picking up 20 points from 14 matches, and they were 4-1 winners on their last visit to Derby in the Championship back in March 2018.
Sunderland are 10 points ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough and therefore comfortable in the playoff spots, but they will be determined to push closer to the automatic promotion positions at such a vital stage of the campaign.
Team News
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Derby have not reported any fresh injury concerns from their clash with Watford, but the Rams will once again be without the services of Nat Phillips and David Ozoh for the visit of Sunderland.
Jerry Yates is Derby's top goalscorer this season, finding the back of the net on six occasions, and the 28-year-old will feature in the final third of the field, while there should also be another start for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Curtis Nelson has two goals from the back this term, and the 31-year-old is a certain starter for the home side here.
As for Sunderland, Isidor will be aiming to bounce back from his two penalty misses, with the 24-year-old looking to add to the eight goals that he has scored during the current season.
Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg are two youngsters to catch the eye this term with a string of excellent performances, and the pair will once again be in the Sunderland XI for this contest.
The Black Cats do still have a lengthy injury list, though, with Ian Poveda, Niall Huggins, Aji Alese, Tom Watson, Romaine Mundle and Alan Browne all unavailable for selection.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Zetterstrom; Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Elder; Adams, Osborn; Jackson, Goudmijn, Mendez-Laing; Yates
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Roberts, Neil, Bellingham, Le Fee; Rigg, Isidor
We say: Derby County 0-2 Sunderland
Sunderland will be desperate to return to winning ways on Tuesday to boost their promotion charge, and we are expecting the Black Cats to be too strong for a Derby outfit that are fighting to stay out of the relegation zone.
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Matt Law
