Sunderland v Cardiff preview: Team news, head-to-head, prediction
Sunderland return to action this Saturday with a home encounter against relegation-threatened Cardiff City.
With all things considered, it has been an excellent campaign for Sunderland and for Regis Le Bris in what is his first job in English football.
Very few would have anticipated the Black Cats being where they are after the failures of last season, but that will mean nothing if they fail to achieve promotion this time out.
With that in mind, three points against Cardiff will be a necessity to keep that pace going ahead of the final 10 games of the campaign.
Preview
Sunderland enter the clash full of confidence after their 2-1 victory away to Sheffield Wednesday last Friday.
Two goals from Eliezer Mayenda sealed the victory, but also a fairly remarkable stat, with the Spaniard now having scored five of his six league goals this season against Sheffield-based clubs.
Automatic promotion seems like a fantasy at this stage, though it is still mathematically possible for Sunderland if they are able to win the majority of their remaining games.
As for Cardiff, they’ve struggled massively this season and find themselves just five points above the drop zone that is occupied by Luton, Plymouth and Derby.
However, given the record that the Mackems have against teams in a similar position, they may be quietly optimistic heading into this one.
Form Guide (All competitions)
Sunderland: WLLWD
Cardiff: LLLDD
Head-to-head
Cardiff 0-2 Sunderland (August 2024)
Cardiff 0-2 Sunderland (March 2024)
Sunderland 0-1 Cardiff (September 2023)
Cardiff 0-1 Sunderland (April 2023)
Sunderland 0-2 Cardiff (November 2022)
Team news
Sunderland are yet to have any fresh injury concerns heading into the clash, although Enzo Le Fee and Dan Ballard remain sidelined having sustained injuries in the defeat to Hull City.
Alan Browne made his return to first-team action at Hillsborough, providing a welcome boost for Le Bris when it comes to midfield options.
Tommy Watson is edging closer to a return and there is a small possibility that he could be among the squad for Saturdays clash.
As for the visitors, it will be much of the same form their defeat to Burnley, with Ollie Tanner their most notable absentee having broken his foot earlier in the season.
Predicted lineups
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin, Neil, Jobe, Mundle, Roberts, Isidor, Mayenda
Cardiff: Horvarth, Ng, Goutas, Bagan, Rinomhota, Robertson, Mannsverk, Chambers, O’Dowda, Ashford, Salech
Prediction: Sunderland 3-0 Cardiff
Sunderland simply need to win this game to carry their momentum forward, which, if it is to be the playoffs for the Black Cats, will be crucial.
However, the display needs to be far better than the ones that have been on show in encounters of a similar nature throughout the season.
Nonetheless, Sunderland should have more than enough to seal another huge three points and bolster their chances of a Premier League return.