Sunderland travel to face Blackpool on New Year's Day looking for a third successive victory in the Championship, one which would keep the club in the playoff spots.
While the Black Cats are fourth in the table, Blackpool find themselves down in 23rd position after a prolonged period without a win in the second tier.
Match preview
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There was a time not so long ago that consolidation looked most likely for Sunderland in their first season back in the Championship.
However, five wins and just two defeats in nine games have catapulted Tony Mowbray's side into fourth position, and the Black Cats are now very much one of the dark horses for promotion.
Last time out, Sunderland netted three times in the final 24 minutes to register a 4-1 victory at Wigan Athletic, with Mowbray likely to have been left particularly satisfied that a quartet of attacking players contributed one goal apiece.
The North-East outfit have now only failed to score in one of their last 10 outings, and they currently possess the firepower to remain in the hunt for a Premier League spot for 2023-24.
Nevertheless, just one clean sheet has been kept in seven games, a ratio which will need to improve if they want to last the distance in a relentless division.
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From Blackpool's perspective, they are now on an eight-match winless streak in the Championship and sit two points adrift of safety.
Their results do not necessarily tell the whole story, though, with their only defeat in four outings coming last time out versus second-placed Sheffield United by a 2-1 scoreline.
Although five defeats have come during that period, just one loss has been by wider than a one-goal margin, and Michael Appleton will be hopeful that a win can kick-start their campaign.
With Sunderland, Watford and a resurgent Huddersfield Town to come in their next games, however, that will be far easier said than done.
Team News
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Despite the defeat to Sheffield United, Appleton may be against making many changes to his Blackpool starting lineup.
Although Jordan Thorniley is available again after serving a one-match ban, his red card versus Hull City came as a substitute and he may only be selected among the replacements.
Kenneth Dougall is also an option to return to central midfield if Appleton opts for fresh legs.
Patrick Roberts and Ross Stewart are in line to return to the Sunderland XI after their contributions from the substitutes' bench versus Wigan.
While Danny Batth and Lynden Gooch could return to the squad after injury, the pair may have to make do with being kept in reserve.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Connolly, Ekpiteta, Husband, Thompson; Carey, Patino, Dougall; Poveda-Ocampo; Yates, Madine
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Ballard, Wright, O'Nien; Hume, Michut, Neil, Clarke; Diallo, Stewart, Roberts
We say: Blackpool 1-2 Sunderland
Blackpool will hope that they can kick-start the new year with a much-needed three points. However, we feel that Sunderland can only benefit from the momentum which they are building, leading to another victory on the road in the North-West.
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Top tip
Darren Plant
