Hull City square off against Sunderland on Boxing Day realistically requiring all three points if they are to remain in the top six of the Championship standings.
Despite their poor result at the weekend, the Black Cats will move ahead of their sixth-placed opponents with a win on Humberside.
Match preview
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A home fixture against an improving Coventry City outfit represented a tough ask for Michael Beale in his first game as Sunderland head coach on Saturday.
However, the former Rangers boss would not have foreseen a humbling 3-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light, a result that already puts him under pressure at the helm.
Beale is a long-term appointment, but with it dividing opinion, the Englishman will acknowledge that he needs to instigate a turnaround and fast, particularly when given the chance to make his own signings next month.
Sunderland have only lost four of their most 10 recent fixtures, hardly a disastrous run, but they also do not look like a side who should only sit three points adrift of fifth spot.
Nevertheless, with a triple-header of Hull and out-of-form pair Rotherham United and Preston North End over the Christmas and New Year period, there is an opportunity to put together a run of improved performances and results.
Meanwhile, aside from second-placed Ipswich Town, Hull remain the surprise package of the season as they continue to hold down a spot in the top six.
Liam Rosenior has witnessed his Tigers side lose three of their most recent five fixtures, though, and blow a winning position in their most recent outing.
Hull were 2-1 up at Bristol City and would be sitting in fifth had they maintained it, but two goals in the closing 14 minutes saw them lose out at Ashton Gate.
A return to home territory will be regarded as a positive with only two defeats coming in 11 games at the MKM Stadium, with a total of four wins coming from their most recent five fixtures on Humberside.
Team News
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With Ryan Allsop being withdrawn through injury at Bristol City, backup goalkeeper Matt Ingram is in line to start for Hull between the sticks.
Rosenior must also decide whether to keep Aaron Connolly down the centre of the attack, with Regan Slater on standby to replace the Irishman or Liam Delap.
Key winger Jaden Philogene will again miss out for the Tigers through injury.
Beale seems likely to tinker with his Sunderland XI with a spot potentially being found for Adil Aouchiche in a creative role.
There will be a change at right-back with Niall Huggins suffering what seems to be a long-term injury versus Cardiff, with Jenson Seelt in line to replace him.
Rather than handing a start to 18-year-old forward Eliezer Mayenda, Beale could choose to bring Mason Burstow back into the team.
Hull City possible starting lineup:
Ingram; Christie, Jones, Greaves, Coyle; Morton, Seri; Delap, Tufan, Twine, Connolly
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Seelt, O'Nien, Ballard, Hume; Neil; Roberts, Bellingham, Aouchiche, Clarke; Burstow
We say: Hull City 2-1 Sunderland
Beale will hope that the only way is up with his Sunderland side after the defeat at the weekend. Nevertheless, Hull will be motivated to deliver an important win in the playoff race, and given that they are more settled under Rosenior, we are backing them to earn it.
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