Sunderland could leap up the table with a win over Liverpool, while the Reds try to remain in contention for a top-four spot.
Martin O'Neill will be without Lee Cattermole and Stephane Sessegnon following their red cards during the Tyne-Wear derby, which ended in a 1-1 draw at the Sport Direct Arena last weekend.
David Vaughan is likely to be drafted in to fill Cattermole's boots in midfield, while former Manchester United defender John O'Shea should return to the lineup, despite suffering a broken hand on Sunday.
O'Neill could select Nicklas Bendtner as well as Fraizer Campbell up front in order to cover for the loss of Sessegnon.
Meanwhile, Kenny Dalglish is likely to welcome back Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and full-back Glen Johnson after the duo returned to training this week.
Current form:
Sunderland: WWLWLD
Liverpool: WDLWDL
Possible lineups:
Sunderland: Mignolet; Bardsley, Turner, O'Shea, Richardson; Larson, Vaughan, McClean, Gardner; Campbell, Bendtner
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique; Downing, Gerrard, Adam, Henderson, Bellamy; Suarez, Carroll
Sports Mole says: 1-2
