Promotion-chasing Sunderland will look to extend their seven-game unbeaten league run when they welcome relegation-threatened Luton Town to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.
The Black Cats will head into the match in fourth place in the Championship table, while the Hatters are down in the relegation zone.
Match preview
Sunderland are sitting five points adrift of the top two after winning 16, drawing 11 and losing four of their 31 league games this season.
Regis Le Bris's side have put together a seven-game unbeaten league run since they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Stoke City at the end of December.
They had to work hard to extend that undefeated streak and their unbeaten Championship home record in Saturday's clash against Watford, with Dennis Cirkin netting an 89th-minute equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
Having conceded two goals in each of their last three matches, Sunderland will be looking for an improved defensive display in Wednesday's clash against the joint third-lowest scorers in the Championship.
After beating Derby and Middlesbrough in their last two road trips, the Black Cats now have the chance to record three consecutive Championship away wins for the first time since September 2023.
The visitors also have the chance to complete a league double over Luton after recording a 2-1 victory in October's reverse fixture.
Matt Bloomfield is still waiting for his first win as Luton boss after taking just two points from his opening four matches in charge.
After starting with a goalless draw against Preston, Bloomfield's side went on to lose back-to-back games against Oxford United and Blackburn Rovers, before they played out a 1-1 draw in Saturday's away clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Alfie Doughty gave the Hatters a narrow half-time lead at Hillsborough, before Michael Smith equalised from the penalty spot in the second period, ensuring that Luton had to settle for a point to leave them without a win in nine league matches.
As a result of their poor form, Luton are languishing in 23rd place with 27 points from 30 games, leaving them two points adrift from safety ahead of Wednesday's tricky clash against Sunderland.
The Hatters will travel to the Stadium of Light with the second-worst away record in the division, having won one, drawn two and lost 12 of their 15 Championship road trips this season.
Their hopes of claiming their first away victory since October will be tempered by the fact that they have failed to win any of their last 15 away league matches against Sunderland (W9, D6) since they picked up a 1-0 victory in September 1973.
Team News
Sunderland are unable to call upon the services of Jayden Danns, Tommy Watson, Romaine Mundle, Niall Huggins, Jenson Seelt and Aji Alese.
They are hopeful that Jobe Bellingham will be available for selection after missing the draw with Watford due to an ankle issue.
Alan Browne could also feature in the matchday squad, having returned to full training following a three-month spell on the sidelines.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Reece Burke, Shandon Baptiste, Teden Mengi and Tahith Chong.
Right-back Daiki Hashioka is pushing for a recall, while Jordan Bowler is hoping to make his first start since joining the club on loan from Nottingham Forest.
Norwegian striker Lasse Nordas could feature among the substitutes after joining Luton from Tromso on transfer deadline day.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Rigg, Neil; Roberts, Bellingham, Le Fee; Isidor
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Hashioka, McGuinness, Andersen, Johnson; Fanne, Clark; Bowler, Aasgaard, Doughty; Morris
We say: Sunderland 2-1 Luton Town
Sunderland are one of two teams yet to lose a Championship home game this season, and we think that they will maintain that record by claiming a narrow win over Luton side that have lost 11 of their last 12 away league matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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