Promotion-chasing Sunderland make the trip to South Yorkshire on Tuesday night to face struggling Rotherham United at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in the Championship.
The Millers are one of the division's out-of-form sides heading into this clash, whereas Sunderland are striving for back-to-back promotions after escaping the third tier last season.
Match preview
© Reuters
Rotherham's winless run in the Championship extended to five games on Saturday afternoon as they were defeated 2-0 by Coventry City on home soil, with Jamie Allen and Viktor Gyokeres netting in the second half for the visiting Sky Blues.
The loss was particularly damaging in the wider picture of the second-tier survival scrap, as Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Blackpool all earned three points in their respective fixtures, further piling the pressure on Matthew Taylor's men to get back to winning ways.
The Millers are now 21st in the Championship standings with just a two-point advantage over Neil Warnock's Terriers in 22nd, and considering all three teams currently occupying relegation spots have looked improved under fresh management in recent weeks, Taylor's team need to change their fortunes quickly.
Having scored just once in their last four games, Rotherham will be hoping that striker Chiedozie Ogbene can start to find the net again, with the 25-year-old's last goal coming in the home loss to Bristol City before Christmas.
If Rotherham played all their matches on home soil, relegation would not be a concern, with the Yorkshire club earning 20 points from 15 home matches so far this season, a greater tally than the vast majority of their relegation rivals.
© Reuters
Sunderland made it five unbeaten in the Championship with a respectable 1-1 draw with Bristol City on Saturday afternoon, although it was so close to being a third-straight maximum for the Black Cats.
The Stadium of Light erupted after Jack Clarke rifled a right-footed strike into the top-right corner after 60 minutes to give Sunderland a deserved lead, with that goal looking like the winner before Nahki Wells converted a 93rd-minute equaliser for the visitors from the penalty spot.
Tony Mowbray's men were forced to settle for a point, which kept them inside the top six ahead of their trip to Rotherham, with Sunderland sitting in fifth in the league table, ahead of seventh-placed Blackburn Rovers on goal difference.
Much has been made of Mowbray's lack of natural striking options since Everton recalled Ellis Simms in January, but the likes of Clarke and Amad Diallo have stepped up in terms of goal contributions as the club look to achieve a top-six finish.
Sunderland's last visit to the New York Stadium ended in a harrowing 5-1 defeat back in October 2021, a result which highlights how well the Black Cats have adapted to second-tier life since promotion back in May 2022.
Team News
© Reuters
Rotherham United remain without influential midfielder Ben Wiles for the visit of Sunderland on the Tuesday - the 23-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury in the game against Stoke City on Boxing Day.
Sean Morrison is out for the season with a thigh injury, and fellow defender Cameron Humphreys is one yellow card away from suspension, meaning Taylor's options in defence are in danger of shortening even more in the coming weeks.
Sunderland's Ross Stewart has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with an Achilles tendon injury, with that issue leaving Joe Gelhardt to assume the centre-forward role in Mowbray's attack.
Lynden Gooch remains a couple of weeks away from action due to his hip flexor injury, but Niall Huggins has trained for the past week and could be back in the matchday squad for the first time since picking up a knock in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Craven Cottage against Fulham in January.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Peltier, Hall, Humphreys, Bramall; Odoffin, Coventry, Ogbene, Rathbone; Washington, Hugill
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Alese; Neil, Michut, Roberts, Amad, Clarke; Gelhardt
We say: Rotherham United 1-2 Sunderland
Rotherham are enduring a worrying run of form just as their relegation rivals are beginning to find their feet under new management - a combination of circumstances that does not bode well for the Millers' Championship safety.
Sunderland will be disappointed to have conceded late into proceedings on Saturday and consequently miss the chance to consolidate their place in the top six, but they will view a trip to Rotherham as a very good opportunity to earn three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
