Sunderland play host to Millwall on Saturday afternoon as both clubs resume their Championship schedules.
While the home side head into this contest sitting in 15th position in the standings, the Black Cats are just four points adrift of Millwall who occupy a spot in the playoff places.
Match preview
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Sunderland have endured a mixed period since the arrival of Tony Mowbray, winning just five of their 14 matches, but the break for the World Cup came at the wrong time for the North East outfit.
Seven points were collected from four games, their most recent outing resulting in an impressive 2-1 triumph away at Birmingham City on November 11.
Each of the points mentioned came from fixtures away from the Stadium of Light, ensuring that Sunderland currently possess the third-best away record in the division.
That highlights the issues which have been encountered at their home ground, Sunderland winning just two of nine games and losing their most recent two fixtures on familiar territory.
Sunderland participated in just one keep-busy fixture during the break, travelling to Dubai and earning a 1-0 success against Al Shabab.
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Meanwhile, Millwall will be happy to return to league action after being forced to end one of the best runs of form in the Championship.
Before the break, the Lions won 17 points from eight matches, moving the club into the top six with a game in hand to spare.
Should Gary Rowett's team prevail at the weekend, they will progress into fourth spot, a far cry from the team which lost six of the opening 11 league encounters during 2022-23.
Despite three matches without scoring a goal, Millwall were able to post a 4-2 victory at Preston North End last time out, responding to seeing a two-goal lead cancelled out by their hosts by netting twice in the final 26 minutes.
Team News
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Although Ross Stewart is pushing for a return from injury, the club's top goalscorer is unlikely to start if passed fit due to being absent since August.
Barring any fitness issues, Mowbray may be prepared to name the same side which impressed at St Andrew's, with Niall Huggins retaining his spot at left-back.
Defender Dan Ballard remains out of contention for the Black Cats as he continues his recovery from a foot injury.
Millwall could line up with the team which defeated Preston if they have no suffered any issues during the break.
George Honeyman was replaced early in the second half at Deepdale, but the former Hull City man featured in the recent friendly against Brondby.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Wright, Batth, Huggins; Neil, Evans; Diallo, Pritchard, Clarke; Simms
Millwall possible starting lineup:
Long; McNamara, Cresswell, Cooper, Wallace; Mitchell, Saville; Voglsammer, Flemming, Honeyman; Bradshaw
We say: Sunderland 2-1 Millwall
Given the break in action, this is a difficult match to call. Both teams will be eager to make a statement which may be felt in the long term, but home advantage could prove key for the Black Cats as they sense an opportunity to catapult themselves back into contention.
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