Sunderland host a free falling Crystal Palace in mid-week, hoping to climb out of the relegation zone.
A missed opportunity
Sunderland have to come into this game feeling a bit deflated because they really should have claimed at least a draw in their last match on Saturday at high flying West Ham United. Sam Allardyce's team were better on the day against his former club, but were left to regret missed clear-cut chances from the likes of Jermain Defoe and Jack Rodwell.
Manager's stubbornness
However despite his side playing well at Upton Park on Saturday, Sam Allardyce's team didn't take anything from the game and the head coach maybe has to take some of the blame because he didn't use his squad properly by only making one substitution. There were attacking options on the bench to get an equalizer in the likes of Fabio Borini but they were ignored.
Sorting out the home form
Sunderland's stats at home are pretty woeful over the last couple of years as they've really struggled to get the crucial wins they need in their constant fights against relegation. They did win their last home game 2-1 against Manchester United, but it's been nearly two years since they won back to back league games as the hosts.
Opponents' view
What makes this game even more important for Sunderland is the fact their playing the worst form team in the top flight right now. Alan Pardew's Palace haven't won a league game in 2016 and we're now starting march.
However they put in a spirited performance last time out to only lose 3-2 at West Bromwich Albion after being 3-0 down and they'll be targeting this game as much as their hosts are to break the winning drought.
Team news
Sam Allardyce has no fresh injury concerns following their last game so will pick the same squad, which travelled to West Ham.
Yanick Bolasie is in line to make his first league start since December for Palace after recovering from a hip injury.
Also left back Pape Souare serves the last game of his three match suspension.
Stats
The last three Premier League meetings between these two have been won by the away team.
Crystal Palace have collected the fewest points out of any Premier League team over the past 10 games (3).
No side in the top flight has kept fewer clean sheets at home this season than Sunderland (2).