Sunderland come up against Manchester United this Saturday lunchtime knowing it is imperative they pick up some points before heading off to Dubai for training.
The facts and figures
The away side come into this fixtures with a fantastic record against their opponents. Manchester United have won 21 of their 29 Premier League games against Sunderland. To add to this, Sunderland have never beaten United at the Stadium of Light.
Louis van Gaal's men have only picked up six points from their last six away games, but Sunderland have now gone eleven games without keeping a clean sheet, which is the longest run of any team in the league.
Both side comes into this tie with attackers who are in fantastic form. Only Sergio Agüero has more league goals in 2016 than Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney, who have an impressive eleven goals to their name this year.
Sunderland have only won six of their last 49 matches in the month of February, which is the lowest ratio of all Premier League sides. The North East teams must find it hard to get back into form after the Christmas period.
What a win means
Both these teams are in desperate need of a victory for completely different reasons. Van Gaal has been under major pressure this season due to his side not being in the top four. The rumours that Jose Mourinho is also on his way to Old Trafford will certainly not be helping matters.
Sunderland can't move out of the bottom three this weekend, but a win would mean a slight lift in pressure before they jet off for warm weather training in Dubai.
A defeat for the Wearsiders, on the other hand, could see them move seven points behind rivals Newcastle United.
Turbulent week
Off the pitch this week there have been many headlines about now former Sunderland midfielder, Adam Johnson. The 28-year-old was sacked by the club earlier this week after pleading guilty to sex charges relating to an underage girl.
Although Johnson was not going to be in the squad this weekend, Allardyce confirmed as the trial started, the news surrounding the player may have an adverse effect on the way the team plays this weekend.
In a footballing sense, Johnson's sacking means Sunderland are another player lighter. His departure especially affects the attack, which is already lacking in options due to some January transfers.
Players such as Younes Kaboul and Jeremain Lens are out of this weekend's tie with injuries, whilst Fabio Borini and Defoe may not feature due to suffering from illness and a hamstring problem respectively.