Sunderland vs. Man U
Venue: Stadium of Light
Kick off: 1:30PM
Sunderland play host to Manchester United on Sunday (today) knowing that only three points will do as they look to give themselves a slim chance of remaining in the Premier League for another season.
United make the trip to the Stadium of Light also in need of victory as they look to keep pace with the rivals for a place in the top four of the league standings.
Sunderland are currently 10 points from safety and with the team having failed to score in their last six games, it would be difficult for anyone to begrudge a change in the dugout, but it could be argued that a game of this importance is what David Moyes may need to spark a change in mindset in the dressing room.
There has been talk of United prioritising their efforts in the Europa League in an attempt to achieve Champions League football next season, but United now find themselves in a position where their fate in the Premier League is effectively in their own hands.
The 1-1 draw with Everton on Tuesday night was not ideal but after Liverpool and Manchester City failed to capitalise 24 hours later, United can now move level on points with some of their rivals if they continue to win in the top flight.
Upcoming encounters with Chelsea and Burnley are likely to pose more problems than against a team which has not scored in 13 halves of football, but it is an opportunity to get back to winning ways in style and in turn, put pressure on the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal who have slipped up in recent games.
Sunderland Possible XI: Pickford, Jones, O’Shea, Kone, Oviedo, Cattermole, Ndong, Rodwell, Anichebe, Borini, Defoe.
Man U Possible XI: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Rojo, Darmian, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Ibrahimovic.