Sunderland and Middlesbrough meet in Sunday's Tees-Wear derby with just four points separating the clubs in the Championship standings.
That is despite the resurgent visitors occupying fourth spot and their inconsistent hosts being down in 10th position.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having represented Middlesbrough during his playing days and in the dugout, any fixture against his former club will always be important to Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray.
Even if the 59-year-old wanted to strip emotion away from the occasion, he may not choose to with Sunderland requiring a bounce-back from last weekend's 3-1 defeat at home to Swansea City.
After Luke O'Nien's 18th-minute dismissal, the odds were always going to be against the Black Cats, and the result ended a four-game unbeaten streak in the second tier.
Sunderland have now won just four of their 13 home fixtures this season, leaving them with the sixth-worst home record in the division, and it has undermined their excellent efforts away from the Stadium of Light.
While Sunderland will only have eyes on closing the gap on their upcoming opponents, they only sit three points clear of 15th place.
© Reuters
From Middlesbrough's perspective, Michael Carrick will view this as another opportunity to strengthen their bid to secure a place in the playoffs.
After conceding five times against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, extending a run of just one clean sheet in 11 games, Carrick may have had concerns heading into a meeting with in-form Millwall last weekend.
However, his players responded with a 1-0 victory over the Lions, Marcus Forss's goal early in the second half proving to be the difference.
Boro are now three points clear of seventh spot, and they make the short trip to their neighbours having prevailed in five of their last six away fixtures in the Championship.
Team News
© Reuters
With O'Nien serving a suspension, Danny Batth is expected to return to the centre of the Sunderland defence.
Barring any further selection issues, that may prove to be the only alteration made by Mowbray with his front four now settled in the team.
Niall Huggins and Ali Alese may be deemed fit enough to take their place on the substitutes' bench after injury.
Carrick will look to name an unchanged Middlesbrough XI for this fixture, Paddy McNair remaining alongside Dael Fry in the middle of the backline in the absence of Darragh Lenihan.
January arrival Cameron Archer is once again expected to remain among the replacements.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Gooch; Evans, Neil; Roberts, Diallo, Clarke; Stewart
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Smith, Fry, McNair, Giles; Howson, Hackney; Forss, Akpom, McGree; Crooks
We say: Sunderland 1-2 Middlesbrough
Last time out, Sunderland's performance was heavily hindered by an early red card, and they should put up more of a fight here. Nevertheless, we still expect Boro to have too much quality for their rivals, strengthening their hold of a playoff spot in the process.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
