Sunderland travel to fellow relegation candidates West Brom this evening as they look to get more points on the board.
West Brom will be looking to build on the away win at Wigan last week and record a win to move them further away from the relegation spots.
Vital Quotes:
Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy:
‘They have done okay at home but they are still near the wrong part of the table..
‘Nobody wants to be the team to be beaten by Sunderland and that will make West Brom nervous.
‘We are in a position where they do not want to be which is bottom, it will be a hard fight between two teams scrapping for points.’
Baggies boss Bryan Robson:
‘I won’t underestimate Sunderland just because of their position in the league.
‘They’re well organised because Mick McCarthy always has his side well prepared. We’re going to have to be at our best.
‘If we think they’re going to lie down and die, we’ve got another thing coming because it will be a tough match.’
West Brom Team News:
Injuries to Kevin Campbell and Geoff Horsefield mean Nathan Ellington and Robert Earnshaw should start upfront.
Albion welcome back Neil Clement from his head injury allowing him to line up alongside Curtis Davies in central defence.
Darren Moore has served his suspension and should be on the bench while Paul Robinson should recover in time for the game.
Tomasz Kuszczak will return in goal for Albion in place of Chris Kirkland.
West Brom from: Kuszczak, Kirkland, Albrechtsen, C.Davies, Clement, Robinson, Moore, Hodgkiss, Greening, Carter, Inamoto, Wallwork, Chaplow, R.Davies, Ellington, Earnshaw, Campbell, Nicholson
Player to watch: Darren Carter
Former Sunderland loanee will be looking to remind Black Cats fans why they took such a liking to him despite only staying on Wearside several months.
Sunderland Team News:
Sunderland are set to name the same 11 that played so well at home to Chelsea last week. With Alan Stubbs back at Everton Neill Collins is expected to take his place on the bench.
The game is still too soon for the recovering foursome of Kevin Kyle, Stephen Elliot, George McCartney and Stephen Wright.
Sunderland from: Davis, Alnwick, Hoyte, Nosworthy, Breen, Caldwell, N Collins, D Collins, Bassila, Miller, Whitehead, Arca, Lawrence, Welsh, Woods, Stead, Le Tallec, Gray, Murphy
Player to watch: Liam Lawrence
Currently the Black Cats’ top performer, his long distance strikes becoming a rare positive attacking threat for Sunderland.
Ref Watch:
Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)
Next 5 Fixtures:
At last, a game you have a chance of winning.