Sunderland will be looking to move into the playoff positions with a win over Reading at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.
The Black Cats were in action midweek as they bowed out of the FA Cup, whereas the Royals had a full week to recover from a frantic encounter with Watford last time out.
Match preview
© Reuters
Despite a spirited effort in their fourth-round replay on Wednesday night, Sunderland exited the FA Cup at the hands of a much-changed Fulham side who had their manager Marco Silva watching on from the stands.
Despite late goals from Jack Clarke and Jewison Bennette, the Cottagers' passage into the fifth round never looked in danger after Harry Wilson fired the visitors in front in the eighth minute of the tie.
Tony Mowbray's men have solely Championship matters to contend with until the end of the season, one which they hope will finish with a trip to Wembley in the playoff final.
Sunderland are currently ninth in the second-tier standings, two points behind sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion heading into this weekend's round of fixtures.
Much has been made of the Black Cats' striker shortage since the departure of Ellis Simms and the campaign-ending injury to Ross Stewart, and it is still left to be seen whether the likes of Clarke, Patrick Roberts and Amad Diallo can do enough to fire Sunderland into the top six.
© Reuters
Reading are proving to be quite the entertainers in the Championship this season, although the excitement of their games for a neutral supporter does not always translate to maximum points for the Royals.
For the fourth-straight game in all competitions, Paul Ince's men were involved in a four-goal thriller last Saturday, and for the fourth-straight game that they did not manage to end up as the victors.
The Berkshire-based club found themselves 2-0 down at home to Watford after 50 minutes last weekend, but second-half goals from Tom Ince and Jeff Hendrick forced a share of the spoils with Slaven Bilic's side.
That point did relatively little for their position in the league table, with Reading sitting in 16th place, six points behind the playoff places which they occupied earlier in the season.
The ultimate test for Ince this season is to keep his club in the division, and considering they currently hold a 10-point advantage over 22nd-placed Huddersfield Town, the ex-Manchester United man is passing with flying colours.
Team News
© Reuters
Sunderland boss Mowbray substituted Roberts and Daniel Neil early in the second half against Fulham, with the experienced manager explaining how he could not afford to risk an injury to such key members of his small squad.
Joe Gelhardt will return to the matchday squad after being cup-tied for the FA Cup defeat to the Londoners, with Abdoullah Ba likely to drop out of the XI to make way for the Manchester United loanee.
Stewart is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an Achilles tendon injury, an issue which leaves Sunderland very short at the top end of the pitch as they hunt down the top six.
Reading could be boosted by the return of Liam Moore to the travelling squad on Saturday after the defender trained all week - the 30-year-old has not played a competitive first-team match since March of last year.
Centre-back Tom Holmes is a doubt for the weekend, however, which would leave a hole in Ince's central-defensive trio, not good news for a side which struggles to keep their opposition at bay.
Lucas Joao suffered a knee injury in the week, and a last-minute call will be made on whether the striker is fit enough to feature at the Stadium of Light in this one.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Alese; Neil, Michut, Roberts, Diallo, Clarke; Gelhardt
Reading possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Mbengue, Holmes, McIntyre; Yiadom, Ndiaye, Hendrick, Fornah, Hoilett; Ince, Long
We say: Sunderland 3-0 Reading
Although ultimately unsuccessful against Fulham on Wednesday night, Sunderland's attackers caused their Premier League opponents plenty of problems and should be able to cause Reading even more.
The Royals have a host of fitness doubts hanging over their squad ahead of this match, and they could be blown away by a dangerous Sunderland side on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
