Sunderlandvs.Bristol City

Following their 2-1 win over Stoke City on Saturday, the Black Cats will be looking to record consecutive wins for the first time since October, while the Robins will be keen to bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 loss against relegation-threatened Portsmouth last time out.

Match preview

Regis Le Bris's Sunderland are currently fourth in England's second tier, occupying one of the playoff spots having earned 36 points from their 19 games so far.

The Black Cats started their promotion push this season in exceptional form by winning nine of their first 12 matches in the Championship, though it is fair to say they have cooled in recent weeks.

Prior to their victory in their last match, Le Bris's side were on a run of six games without a win, having played out five draws and one loss since a 2-0 win over Oxford United in late October.

Against Stoke, Sunderland conceded an early goal when Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas struck after only six minutes, but young attacking midfielder Tommy Watson scored the first goal of his career to equalise a minute later and found a winner with just four minutes to play.

Despite conceding first and needing a late winner, Le Bris will be pleased that the Black Cats were on top for the majority of the match, and will take confidence from the fact his team forced Potters goalkeeper Viktor Johansson into making eight saves.

After the comeback win on Saturday, Sunderland are just three points behind top-of-the-table Sheffield United heading into Tuesday's clash, and a win against the Robins could put some pressure on the Blades in the title race.

Meanwhile, Liam Manning's Bristol City are in 12th place after 19 matches, having picked up 25 points this term.

Manning's side are in poor form of late having lost three of their last four matches, and a 4-0 home win against lowly Plymouth Argyle represents their only reprieve since early November.

In fairness to City, it is reasonable for them to expect a difficult time against the likes of promotion-chasing Burnley and Watford, though defeat last time out at the hands of then-bottom Portsmouth may be harder for fans to accept.

John Mousinho's strugglers dominated proceedings at Fratton Park, scoring three goals, registering eight shots on target compared to the Robins' two, and keeping a clean sheet despite having the joint-third worst defensive record in the division.

It is noteworthy that City are a young side that are missing a number of players through injury, but considering the level of opposition and their win against the Pilgrims on November 30, their showing against Pompey can only be described as immensely disappointing.

On Tuesday, Manning's team will come up against high-level opposition and will be desperate to make it up to the fans that travelled to support them last Saturday in spite of Storm Darragh with a strong performance against the Black Cats.

Sunderland Championship form:

D

D

D

D

L

W

Bristol City Championship form:

L

W

L

L

W

L

Team News

Boss Le Bris is without a number of players due to injury at the moment, including midfielders Alan Browne, who continues to be out with a broken leg, and Romaine Mundle, who picked up a major hamstring injury against Coventry City on November 11.

Neither are expected back in action until the new year at the earliest, and so Sunderland will likely opt for a midfield featuring captain Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.

Elsewhere, Wilson Isidor was withdrawn with an injury at the end of the Black Cats' clash with Stoke but should be fit enough to make the XI this week.

To add to this, attacker Ian Poveda and midfielders Salis Abdul Samed, Ahmed Abdullahi and Jenson Seelt are expected to return later this month, while defender Niall Huggins is anticipated to be back in January as he recovers from knee surgery.

On the other hand, Robins boss Manning has ruled the versatile Kal Naismith and midfielder Mark Sykes out of the trip to Sunderland, though forward Scott Twine could make the lineup if he recovers from illness in time.

With this in mind, attacking midfielder Max Bird may continue to support Nahki Wells up front, while captain Jason Knight will patrol the middle of the park alongside Marcus McGuane.

Elsewhere, Joe Williams is not expected back in action until January following his Achilles tendon injury, but George Tanner, Ross McCrorie and Ayman Benarous should return later this month to provide a boost for City ahead of 2025.

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Alese; Neil, Bellingham, Rigg; Roberts, Isidor, Watson

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Vyner, Dickie, McNally, Pring; McGuane, Knight, Bird; Hirakawa, Wells, Mehmeti

We say: Sunderland 3-1 Bristol City

Though Sunderland needed a late winner to secure all three points on Saturday, they dominated proceedings and will be keen to put pressure on Sheffield United in the Championship title race.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

Previews by email