Preview: Sunderland vs. Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Although both sides will not be overly satisfied with their start to the campaign, they will be content with their respective points totals.

Match preview

On the back of starting his Sunderland reign with a 3-0 victory over Rotherham United, Tony Mowbray would have been quietly confident about further success in the derby with Middlesbrough.

However, the Black Cats went down to a 1-0 defeat at the Riverside Stadium, also losing Ross Stewart to an injury in the warm-up.

Mowbray must now look to get a reaction out of a team that can still be positive about their beginning of the season given the circumstances surrounding the change in manager.

Their solitary home defeat came at the hands of in-form Norwich City, with five points coming from their only three fixtures at the Stadium of Light.

That said, they conceded late goals against Coventry City and Queens Park Rangers to only draw those matches, and they can ill-afford further lapses in concentration against a potential playoff rival.

From Millwall's perspective, Gary Rowett has recently watched his side lose three successive games in the Championship, pushing the club down the table.

However, they posted a much-needed 2-0 triumph over Cardiff City last time out to move two points clear of their opponents and the relegation zone.

Sitting just one point behind Sunderland ahead of the weekend's fixture, Rowett will be content with the current situation having ended their wait for their first clean sheet since the opening weekend of the season.

Defender Charlie Cresswell was signed to keep goals out at one end of the pitch, but the Leeds United loanee has now taken his tally to three strikes for the campaign, two more than any of his teammates.

Sunderland Championship form:

Millwall Championship form:

Team News

With Stewart likely to be absent for the remainder of the year, Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo could be drafted into the starting lineup.

Although Leon Dajaku is back in contention after injury, the German is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench.

From the team which was selected for the Middlesbrough match, Patrick Roberts could miss out on a starting spot.

Cresswell will return to the Millwall XI in place of Shaun Hutchinson, who was withdrawn through injury last time out.

Benik Afobe's first goal of the campaign should also earn him a recall ahead of Tom Bradshaw.

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin; Gooch, Neil, Evans, Clarke; Pritchard, Diallo; Simms

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Bialkowski; Wallace, Cooper, Cresswell; Shackleton, Saville, Mitchell, Styles; Flemming, Voglsammer; Afobe

We say: Sunderland 2-1 Millwall

Having ended their recent losing streak, Rowett will be far more optimistic about his team's chances in the North-East. However, we are backing Sunderland to edge this contest by the odd goal in three, potentially with a late goal.

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