Sunderlandvs.Watford

The hosts are sitting in fourth place in the Championship table, while the visitors will head into the weekend in 12th position.

Match preview

Sunderland are currently three points adrift of the automatic promotion spots after winning 16, drawing 10 and losing four of their 30 league games this season.

The Black Cats recently extended their unbeaten league run to six matches with a dramatic 3-2 victory in Monday's Tees-Wear derby against Middlesbrough.

Dan Neil and Wilson Isidor both found the net to give Sunderland a two-goal lead, before Middlesbrough Hayden Hackney equalised just before the hour mark, but just as the game appeared to be heading towards a draw, Ryan Giles inadvertently put the ball in his own net from Enzo Le Fee's cross, gifting Regis Le Bris' side all three points.

After enjoying a successful trip to the Riverside Stadium, the Black Cats will now return to the familiar surroundings of the Stadium of Light, where they have won three of their last four league matches (D1).

In fact, Sunderland are one of two teams yet to lose a Championship home game this season, having won nine and drawn five of their 14 league games at the Stadium of Light.

They will fancy their chances of maintaining that record after avoiding defeat in each of their last three home games against Watford, including a 2-0 victory in last season's home encounter.

Watford's playoff bid has lost momentum over the last six weeks, having won just two of their previous 10 matches in the second tier (D1, L7).

The Hornets have suffered three consecutive defeats since they recorded their most recent victory against Derby County, losing 2-1 to Preston North End and Cardiff City, before falling to a 1-0 defeat in last Saturday's home meeting with Norwich City.

Josh Sargeant's 41st-minute effort proved enough to condemn Tom Cleverley's side to a fourth consecutive home defeat.

Watford will be looking for a more positive outcome in Saturday's road trip, but those hopes may be tempered by the fact they have won just one of their previous eight away league matches (D3, L4).

However, they will travel to the Stadium of Light with the chance to complete a league double over Sunderland after recording a 2-1 victory in September's reverse fixture.

If they are to achieve that feat, the Hornets will have to claim their first away win against Sunderland since clinching a 1-0 Premier League victory in December 2015.

Sunderland Championship form:

W

W

D

W

D

W

Sunderland form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

D

W

Watford Championship form:

L

D

W

L

L

L

Watford form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

L

L

Team News

Sunderland are unable to call upon deadline-day addition Jayden Danns, with the Liverpool loanee currently recovering from a back issue.

Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson are closing in on a return to action, but the team are will not be ready for Saturday's fixture.

In positive news, Alan Browne is set to feature in the matchday squad after recovering from a minor leg fracture that has kept him out of action since November.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the injured trio of Daniel Bachmann, Pierre Dwomoh and Kwadwo Baah, while Vakoun Bayo will start a three-match suspension after getting sent off last weekend.

Full-back Caleb Wiley will not be fit for Saturday's fixture after recently joining on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.

Cleverley has confirmed that a late decision will be made on Rocco Vata's availability, with the 19-year-old a doubt due to illness.

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee; Isidor

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bond; Andrews, Pollock, Abakwah, Larouci; Louza, Dele-Bashiru; Sissoko, Kayembe, Chakvetadze; Doumbia

We say: Sunderland 2-1 Watford

Written by

Ben Sully

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