Sunderland vs Middlesbrough LIVE: In-form rivals meet for huge Tees-Wear derby

The Black Cats head into this game in brilliant form, having won five of their last six games and climbing up the table.

And it is the same for Boro who have also bounced back from a terrible start to the season to win their last three.

Tony Mowbray's side are up to fourth while Michael Carrick's men have risen to 17th with both teams aiming to put an end to their opponent's positive run.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough: talkSPORT coverage

This Championship clash will take place on Saturday, October 7.

Kick-off at the Stadium of Light is scheduled for 12:30pm.

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talkSPORT 2 will have live and exclusive coverage of the game presented by Faye Carruthers.

Commentary will come from Adam Bridge and former Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

ou can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough: Team news

Alex Pritchard has been ruled out until after the international break.

The Sunderland midfielder joins Bradley Dack and Pierre Ekwah on the sidelines while Aji Alese and Eliezer Mayenda continue their recovery.

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Dennis Cirkin, Jay Matete, Corry Evans and Timothy Pembele also remain out.

As for Middlesbrough, both Darragh Lenihan and Jonny Howson will be assessed ahead of the game after suffering from illness.

Rav van den Berg is also a doubt after missing Boro's win over Cardiff last time out.

Lewis O'Brien however, is expected to be out for two to three months after suffering a serious injury.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough: What has been said?

Middlesbrough boss Carrick has praised his opponents ahead of the game.

"They are playing very well, have had a really good start to the season and have got a young team," he said.

"There is a lot of talent there and Tony has done a terrific job in moulding them together."

He continued: "It's a really good game for us, exciting game, the type of game you want to be involved in and test yourself.

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"The boys will be looking forward to it, the supporters will be looking forward to it and let's hope for a good game and a good performance from us to give us a chance of getting the right result."

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough: Match facts

Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has lost only two of his 10 league encounters with Middlesbrough since managing the club (W4 D4), winning three of his last four home league games against them (D1).

Middlesbrough ended a run of eight away league games without a win with their 3-2 victory over Watford, last winning successive such games in February.

Sunderland have won three of their last four league games that have kicked off at 12:30 (L1), averaging 2.8 goals across those four matches (11 in total).

Middlesbrough have lost three of their last five away league visits to Sunderland (W1 D1), with their one win in this sequence coming in the Premier League in August 2016.

Sunderland are looking to win consecutive league games against Middlesbrough for the first time since September 2008.