Sunderland host Portsmouth in a huge Championship clash at opposite ends of the table.
Fourth-placed Sunderland can move back to within two points of a top-two spot with victory, whilst Portsmouth can climb to 20th with a win.
Team News
Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns following their New Year’s Day win over Sheffield United.
Dan Ballard, Ian Poveda, Salis Abdul Samed (all muscle), Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Alan Browne (leg), Ahmed Abdullahi (groin), Tommy Watson (knee/ankle), Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins (both knee) remain sidelined.
Portsmouth have no fresh injury concerns following their New Year’s Day win over Swansea.
Jacob Farrell, Kusini Yengi (both knee), Regan Poole (hamstring), Mark O’Mahony (hip), Conor Shaughnessy (calf) and Ibane Bowat (tendon).
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Portsmouth at Stadium of Light on Sunday 5 January at 3pm GMT, live on Sky Sports + in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland have won four of their last seven meetings against Portsmouth (W4, L3).
- Portsmouth have won one of their last five regular-season trips to Sunderland (W1, D2, L2).
- Sunderland have won two of their last four home games against Portsmouth by 1-0 results.
- Wilson Isidor and Luke O’Nien have both been booked in Sunderland’s last two home matches.
- Seven of Portsmouth’s 23 points this season were scored away from home (W1, D4, L7).
Prediction
Now right back in the promotion fight following a clinical yet resiliently defensive win over Sheffield Utd, Sunderland now must kick on and find another win to keep pace with their rivals.
Portsmouth’s biggest issue is their lack of consistency but having thumped Swansea in midweek, they must now continue to build on that performance if want any chance of a win here.
I however just don’t see Sunderland losing this if can target Portsmouth’s vulnerable defence, but the Pompey shouldn’t be underestimated if they bring fight and a gutsy defensive effort.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Portsmouth
Result: Sunderland 1-0 Portsmouth