Sunderland host Preston North End at the Stadium of Light in the first Championship clash of 2024.
Victory would see Sunderland climb to sixth for at least a few hours, whilst Preston can leapfrog the Black Cats into seventh with a win.
Team News
Patrick Roberts is a doubt for Sunderland after he suffered a muscle injury during their 1-1 draw at Rotherham on Friday evening.
Niall Huggins, Jay Matete (both knee), Dennis Cirkin (hamstrin) and Corry Evans (ACL) remain absent.
Preston could be without Will Keane after the striker missed their defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, due to illness.
Jack Whatmough (unspecified) is a doubt but Robbie Brady (calf) is unlikely to be available for selection.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Preston at Stadium of Light in a 12:30pm GMT kick-off on Monday 1 January 2024, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland have won one of their last five meetings against Preston (W1, D2, L2).
- Preston are unbeaten in four of their last five visits to Sunderland (W2, D2, L1).
- Sunderland have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 home matches against Preston in all comptitions (W4, D4, L2).
- Jack Clarke has been involved in more league goals than any other Sunderland player this season, having produced 12 goals and one assist in 25 appearances.
- Four of Will Keane’s six league goals for Preston this season were scored away from home.
Prediction
Given that Rotherham seem to enjoy troubling North-East clubs lately, Sunderland did well to get a draw away to the Millers but they must show more energy and desire in this game because Preston will surely look to punish any sloppy play if the Black Cats don’t step up their intensity.
Preston meanwhile simply lacked the decisive end product to break down Sheffield Wednesdy for all of their effort, which the Owls clinically punished in the first half in an otherwise close contest so I do expect Preston to bounce back here if can sort out their final touches.
Both teams also are right in the play-off race so defeat for either team will be a minor blow heading into a key period of the season, but I can see Preston having enough in them to snatch a draw.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Preston
Result: Sunderland 2-0 Preston
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