Sunderland play host to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon looking to end their six-match winless streak in the Championship.
At a time when the Black Cats sit in fourth position in the table, the Potters are 14th after their own poor run of form in the second tier.
Match preview
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If Sunderland had been offered fourth place at this stage before the start of the season, newly-appointed head coach Regis Le Bris would have taken it without a second's thought.
However, the North-East outfit are only not higher in the standings courtesy of a six-match winless run that has featured five draws and one defeat.
On two occasions, Sunderland let leads slip against Coventry City and Millwall, while the other three draws ended goalless as Le Bris' side lost their way in the final third.
Last time out, the Black Cats went down by a 1-0 scoreline at title rivals Sheffield United, Tom Davies' netting the decisive strike seven minutes from time.
Although Sunderland were losing for the first time since September 28, the defeat felt more damaging with the Blades now five points clear of them in the standings.
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Meanwhile, Stoke are now 13 games into the reign of Narcis Pelach and there are still considerable doubts as to whether the Spaniard is the right man for the job.
Just three wins have been recorded during that time, while the Potters have now gone four games without success after the 2-0 reverse at home to Burnley.
Aside from the six-goal demolition of Portsmouth, Stoke have not scored more than twice in a game under Pelach at a time when they have only kept three clean sheets.
Now sitting nine points adrift of the playoffs, the Staffordshire-based outfit face an uphill task if they want to involve themselves in a promotion race during the second half of the campaign.
Team News
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Le Bris will be forced into at least one Sunderland change with Chris Mepham serving a ban for his dismissal at Sheffield United.
Ali Alese is in line to be drafted into the defence, either at centre-back or left-back with Luke O'Nien being used in the other position.
The rest of the side could remain the same unless Eliezer Mayenda or Adil Aouchiche are handed a chance in the final third.
Pelach must decide whether to stick with a back three or revert to a four. In theory, both formations are realistic possibilities.
Andrew Moran and Lewis Koumas are both in contention for a recall, particularly if one of the three central midfielders from the Burnley loss drop out.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Alese; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Riggs, Watson; Isidor
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Wilmot, Phillips, Gibson; Tchamadeu, Seko, Burger, Bae, Bocat; Cannon, Manhoef
We say: Sunderland 2-1 Stoke City
This could turn into a tense game between two teams who are gradually losing confidence in getting wins on the board. However, Sunderland have more reason to throw caution to the wind and it may lead to them delivering a late victory at the Stadium of Light.
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Darren Plant
