Sunderland vs Hull City. Premier League.
Stadium of LightAttendance41,271.
Saturday 19 November 2016 14:10, UK
Bottom-of-the-table Sunderland look to secure their second win of the season when they host Hull on Saturday.
Sunderland, who sit six points from safety with just five under their belt, recorded the first victory of their campaign in their last outing after the joint-worst start to a Premier League season.
The Black Cats ended their winless start with a dramatic 2-1 win at Bournemouth despite having a man sent off, thanks to goals from Victor Anichebe and Jermain Defoe.
Hull ended a losing streak of their own before the international break with a 2-1 win against Southampton which brought to a close a run of nine league matches without a win.
Team news
Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole is out of Saturday's clash with Hull and is facing four months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery in America.
The 28-year-old will be missing until well into the new year after an operation to repair a torn hip cartilage, and will join Fabio Borini (groin), Jan Kirchhoff and Jack Rodwell (both hamstring) on the sidelines.
Anichebe has recovered from a rib problem and defender John O'Shea has shaken off a hamstring injury, while Vito Mannone (elbow) and Sebastian Larsson (knee) are closing on on returns to match fitness.
Hull will be without strikers Will Keane, Abel Hernandez and Adama Diomande.
Keane has been ruled out for the season due to knee ligament damage, Hernandez is still out with a groin problem and Diomande sits out the final game of a three-match ban.
Midfielder Shaun Maloney (back) is also out, while boss Mike Phelan will include teenage striker Jarrod Bowen in his plans.
Opta stats
Bottom-place Sunderland sit six points from safety with just one league win.
David Moyes' side are the lowest scorers in the league with just nine goals; Jermain Defoe has scored six of those.
Both teams are searching for their first clean sheet of the season.
Since becoming only the second promoted side in Premier League's history to win their opening two matches, Hull have picked up just four points from nine games.
The Tigers will have to tighten their defence if they are to keep a clean sheet at the Stadium of Light; they have conceded the most goals of any team this season (24) - 13 of those away goals.
Robert Snodgrass has been directly involved in 50% of Hull's 10 league goals this season, scoring four and assisting one. The Scot is the only Hull player to have scored more than one goal this campaign.
Merson's prediction
I'm going for Sunderland here. I watched them against Bournemouth and they were decent. Moyes played two up front, and I think that's the important thing.
Victor Anichebe was unbelievable, unplayable, and I expect them to beat Hull.
Hull got a massive result against Southampton, but this is difficult. They need to get something from the game, but I think the home advantage will make a difference.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
Betting
Sunderland are Sky Bet's 11/10 favourites for the crucial three points, with Hull a 13/5 shot while the draw is priced at 23/10.
The Stadium of Light clash represents a meeting of the two relegation favourites, with the Black Cats 15/8 to stay up while their visitors are marginally shorter odds at 13/8.
Jermain Defoe heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2, while Robert Snodgrass and Dieumerci Mbokani are tied on the visitors' side of the market.
