Sunderland play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon looking to avoid suffering their seventh consecutive defeat in the Championship.
Meanwhile, QPR make the long trip to the Stadium of Light sitting just one point above the relegation zone after two games without a win.
Match preview
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All things considered, Marti Cifuentes is producing one of the best jobs in the Championship this season and has had an impact that QPR's supporters would have not predicted.
Nevertheless, despite a recent run of five wins from eight games, the Hoops are still in a position where they sit perilously close to dropping into the bottom three again.
A 2-2 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion was both a respectable result and deserved, with QPR equalising during the latter stages, but they would have been bitterly disappointed to lose 2-0 at home to Middlesbrough.
That represented the first time since January 14 that QPR had lost at Loftus Road, a period stretching five matches, but their recent away form has been exceptional.
QPR make the visit to the Stadium of Light having won three of their last four fixtures on their travels, overcoming Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City and Leicester City respectively.
Meanwhile, Sunderland's season is unravelling in ways that their ownership would not have envisaged, an opinion probably not shared by their supporters.
A total of six defeats have been posted in a row, with sacking Michael Beale and putting Mick Dodds in interim charge not having the desired effect.
Sunderland are now closer to the relegation zone - nine points above - than they are to the playoffs - 11 points behind - to put them in a position where they may start to plan for 2024-25.
Their last three losses have been against teams who currently occupy places in the top six in Norwich City, Leicester City and Southampton, succumbing to the latter at St Mary's by a 4-2 scoreline.
On that occasion, the Black Cats at least ended their wait for a goal having gone five halves of football without netting before scoring twice in the space of nine minutes.
Team News
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Changes appear inevitable for Sunderland with Adil Aouchiche and Nazarii Rusyn both in line for a recall in the final third.
Jenson Seelt suffered a long-term injury against Southampton and Dan Ballard is a major doubt, while Luke O'Nien serves the second game of a two-match ban.
Timothee Pembele may come into the centre of defence, with Leo Hjelde moving centrally and Callum Styles deputising at left-back, but Jack Clarke remains sidelined.
Cifuentes may opt against making major changes to his QPR XI, with the West Londoners having been level with Boro before making three substitutions.
If any alterations are made, Isaac Hayden, Paul Smyth and Lyndon Dykes look first in line for a recall, particularly the latter two who could replace Chris Willock and Michael Frey respectively.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Pembele, Hjelde, Styles; Neil; Mundle, Bellingham, Aouchiche, Ba; Rusyn
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Dunne, Cook, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Colback, Field; Smyth, Andersen, Chair; Dykes
We say: Sunderland 1-2 Queens Park Rangers
Although Sunderland showed some spirit in their defeat to Southampton, it was still a confidence-sapping four goals conceded. We fancy QPR to shake off their own setback against Middlesbrough to secure a potentially-pivotal win at the Stadium of Light, albeit having to hold on during the closing stages.
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Darren Plant
