Sunderland entertain Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with the home side still looking for a first league win of the 2014-15 season.
Frustartion is the ultimate word coming out of Wearside so far this season as Sunderland have not played too badly but are still one of three sides left in the Premier League yet to taste victory.
A midweek exit to Stoke in the Capital One Cup at home has not done a lot to raise spirits but it could be a blessing in disguise for last season's runners up as they need to have full focus on straightening out their league form. One positive to come out of the defeat on Tuesday night was a goal for striker Jozy Alitidore, who notched only his third strike for the club and it could inspire some confidence in the American who has failed to live up to his £6 million price tag.
Despite a first clean sheet in their last league outing at Burnley, Gus Poyet will know that his side needing to be winning games like that if they're to avoid a second successive relegation battle in a few months time. The Black Cats' lack of creativity was a big issue highlighted at Turf Moor and that falls with the central midfield trio of Jack Rodwell, Sebatstian Larrson and Lee Cattermole who Poyet may need to tinker with in order to get a first win.
As far as the visitors are concerned, two weeks ago they were flying high and enjoying a 100% record through three games. Within a fortnight though, it has been somewhat more negative around the Liberty after back-to-back to defeats away to Chelsea and at home to Southampton.
However, you have to consider that for much of the game they outplayed top-of-the-table Chelsea for a half and were only undone by freescoring Diego Costa and at home to Southampton they spent an hour with ten men courtesy of two bookings for Wilfried Bony. Overall it's been a very good start for Gary Monk in his first full seaosn and their playing some fantastic football aat the same time.
Unlike their hosts on Saturday, the Swans advanced in the League Cup in impressive style in a 3-0 thumping of Everton at home even while not being at full strength. Top scorer Nathan Dyer bagged another strike and Gylfi Sigurdsson added to his account at the club.
Team News
Striker Steven Fletcher has recovered from a calf injury and should be in contention for this game. Emanuele Giaccherini has also shooken off an ankle knock and so could also feature at the Stadium Of Light while on loan defender Sebastian Coates is out.
Gary Monk has no new injury concerns ahead of the long trip north and striker Bony is available after serving his suspension in the cup midweek.
Stats
Sunderland have the league high in draws (4) this season while Swansea are one of two sides yet to draw.
Since their four wins in a row at the end of last season, Sunderland have now gone six games without a win.
Swansea won both league meetings last season and scored seven goals in the process winning this fixture 3-1 on last season's final day.