After both failed to end 2024 on a high, Championship promotion rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United will convene at the Stadium of Light on New Year's Day.
While United lost top spot by drawing at home to managerless West Bromwich Albion, the Black Cats conceded late on in Stoke to suffer a rare loss.
Match preview
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Ending a five-match unbeaten streak, Sunderland were denied a precious point towards their promotion push on Sunday, as Stoke City struck during second-half stoppage time to consign the north-east outfit to a 1-0 defeat.
The hosts were under caretaker management and had not won in 10 games, so Regis Le Bris bitterly lamented his side's failure to take one of several big chances, having struck the post twice.
Nonetheless, Sunderland still occupy fourth place in the table on 44 points, five behind Sheffield United, who hold the second automatic promotion spot as things stand.
The Black Cats now kick off 2025 back at the Stadium of Light, where they are undefeated in the Championship this season, with seven wins from 11 games so far.
After a rare setback, Le Bris will expect his team to resume normal service on home turf - and recent history is on their side. Sunderland have not lost their opening league game of the year in any of the last six seasons.
![Jack Robinson of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match Preston North End vs Sheffield United at Deepdale, Preston, United Kingdom, August 9, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/jack-robinson.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Jack Robinson of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match Preston North End vs Sheffield United at Deepdale, Preston, United Kingdom, August 9, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
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By contrast with their hosts, Sheffield United are winless in five year-opening fixtures since beating Wigan 3-0 in 2019 - but the head-to-head record weighs heavily in the Blades' favour.
They have won their last five league games against Sunderland - all in the Championship - including November's 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane, which saw Tom Davies score a late winner after both teams went down to 10 men.
Chris Wilder's side come into this contest having taken just one point from two post-Christmas fixtures, following a Boxing Day defeat to Burnley by drawing 1-1 with West Brom last time out.
First-half goals from Andre Brooks and Karlan Grant saw the points shared in Sheffield, where United had won nine of 10 league games coming into the festive period.
Overtaken by Yorkshire rivals Leeds United, who now lead the Championship by two points, the Blades will look to bounce straight back by extending a six-match unbeaten streak away from home.
Team News
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Sunderland are still without attacking midfielder Chris Rigg due to injury, so Adil Aouchiche could continue in the hosts' starting XI, featuring in the supporting cast for six-goal top scorer Wilson Isidor.
Elsewhere, defenders Dan Ballard, Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins are all ruled out, as are midfielders Alan Browne and Salis Abdul Samed.
Forward trio Tommy Watson, Ahmed Abdullahi and Romaine Mundle are also unavailable, though the latter is nearing a return from his hamstring problem.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United's absence list will be headed by Tyrese Campbell, who is the club's six-goal top scorer in the Championship this season.
Campbell has recently been sidelined by a back injury, while Femi Seriki, Harry Souttar, Ollie Arblaster and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are also on the treatment table.
Once again, Wales striker Kieffer Moore should spearhead the Blades' attack, with support from Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare, though Chris Wilder still has several other options available.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Aleksic, Aouchiche; Isidor
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Cooper; Gilchrist, Robinson, Ahmedhodzic, Burrows; Davies, Peck; Brooks, O'Hare, Hamer; Moore
We say: Sunderland 1-1 Sheffield United
Sunderland have scored 114 league goals in New Year's Day matches: only Bolton Wanderers (123) and Newcastle United (117) have netted more in Football League history.
Given Sheffield United's solid defensive record, that trend may be tough to maintain at the start of 2025, but one strike should be enough to take at least a point.
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Jonathan O'Shea
