Two teams vying for promotion to the Premier League face off this weekend, as Sunderland travel to South Wales to take on Swansea City at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Five places and 10 points separate the two sides in the Championship table, but with the visitors winning just one of their last eight games, the Swans will sense an opportunity to close that gap this weekend.
Match preview
Life under new manager Regis Le Bris appeared promising at the end of October, with Sunderland sitting five points clear at the top of the table.
Having arrived in the summer following his departure from Lorient, the French manager guided his new club to 28 points out of a possible 36 from their opening 12 fixtures.
Since then, the Black Cats have been left frustrated in the league, with five consecutive draws in November, before a defeat at Sheffield United meant that they went winless throughout the entire month.
They finally stopped the rot last weekend, as a brace from Tom Watson secured all three points against Stoke City, and a late equaliser from Patrick Roberts rescued a point against Bristol City in midweek.
The visitors will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend, as they search for their first away win since October 23, when they won 2-1 at Luton Town.
Although they are approaching two months without a win on the road, the visitors can still boast one of the strongest away records in the league, with only Burnley, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United performing better away from home this season.
Despite their recent struggles, Sunderland still sit fourth in the standings and remain within touching distance of Sheffield United and Leeds United, who occupy the two automatic promotion spots.
Meanwhile, the hosts have rediscovered their form in recent weeks, following a challenging spell in October that saw them go the entire month without a win.
Swansea were ninth at the end of September, but failed to win any of their next five fixtures, a run that left them 17th by the end of October and just two points above the relegation zone.
In their eight fixtures since, the Swans have only lost twice – against promotion contenders Burnley and Leeds – while winning four and drawing two games.
One of those wins came midweek against struggling Plymouth Argyle, as a 2-1 win at Home Park increased the pressure on Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney.
Following that triumph, Swansea are back in ninth, within striking distance of the playoff zone, and a win this weekend would strengthen their bid for promotion to the Premier League.
Team News
The hosts have several injury concerns, including Sam Parker, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury until the end of the month.
Fellow midfielder Oliver Cooper is out until February with a broken foot, while Josh Ginnelly is not expected back until January due to an Achilles injury.
Additionally, goalkeeper Andrew Fisher is also sidelined until January with a groin injury.
Meanwhile, the visitors have a host of injury worries of their own, with eight players either doubtful or out for this fixture.
Included in that list are midfielders Alan Browne (broken leg) and Romaine Mundle (hamstring), with both expected to be long-term absentees.
Elsewhere, both Niall Huggins and Jenson Seelt are recovering from knee surgery and are not expected back until at least the new year.
In further blows for Sunderland, Ahmed Abdullahi (leg), Salis Abdul Samed (leg), Ian Poveda (muscle) and Luke O'Nien (illness) are not expected to be available for this clash.
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Vigouroux; Tymon, Darling, Cabango, Key; Grimes, Fulton, Eom, Cullen, Peart-Harris; Bianchini
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, Ballard, Alese; Neil, Bellingham, Mayenda, Rigg, Roberts; Isidor
We say: Swansea City 1-0 Sunderland
Both sides have come through difficult spells during this season and they will be hoping that their worst form is already behind them.
However, Swansea have picked up their form in recent weeks, and we think they may sneak a 1-0 win here against a Sunderland side that have found it difficult away from home over the past two months.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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