Sunderland host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon knowing that they could potentially move out of the relegation zone if they can avoid defeat at the Stadium of Light.
Arsenal boosted their chances of sealing a top-four position with victory over West Bromwich Albion on Thursday night but manager Arsene Wenger will be aware that they cannot afford to slip up in the North-East.
Sunderland
© Getty ImagesBefore last weekend, Sunderland had won just one of their previous 11 fixtures in the Premier League, and manager Sam Allardyce would have been concerned that another failure to get three points on the board would put them ever closer to losing their place in the top flight.
However, the Black Cats showed in their 3-0 victory away at relegation rivals Norwich City that there was still plenty of life left in what is generally regarded as a poor team given that they have only managed seven wins from 33 league games since the start of August.
The manner of the result at Carrow Road was a bonus for Allardyce, with Sunderland being short of goals since his arrival aside from a seven-goal spurt during the middle of January.
The former West Ham United boss will also take heart from Jermain Defoe again finding the back of the net. Sunderland would have already been down had the forward not found the net on 13 occasions in the league this season, and he will need to add to that if the North-East outfit are going to avoid playing in the second tier after the summer.
Sunderland head into the game knowing that a point could be enough to move them into 17th position with Norwich City not playing this weekend and Newcastle having to travel to an in-form Liverpool side.
Allardyce will be keen to focus on the job in hand, however, and with Arsenal coming under pressure from the two Manchester clubs when it comes to claiming a top-four position, he will back his team to capitalise in front of a full house at the Stadium of Light.
Recent form: DDDDLW
Arsenal
© Getty ImagesAfter draws with both West Ham United and Crystal Palace, Wenger found himself under pressure to deliver three points against West Bromwich Albion or face increasing hostility from the club's supporters who are unhappy after another failed title challenge.
However, while Thursday's 2-0 victory was as much to do with West Brom's poor showing as it was a clinical display from the Gunners, it was a welcome boost for Wenger as he looks to end the campaign on a positive note.
Finishing in third place will not be enough to satisfy the club's fans who at one stage thought their side were going to mount a bid for the Premier League title in the absence of the usual big hitters, but it will at least guarantee the North London giants a taste of Champions League football for another season.
They must continue to pick up results, though, if competing among Europe's elite is going to be achieved. With just four points separating them from fifth place and a showdown at Manchester City still to come, Arsenal cannot afford to drop points against teams occupying positions in the bottom four.
The biggest plus for Wenger in recent weeks has been the return to form of Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean had been poor after returning from a two-month layoff in January but six goals and four assists since the start of March has put him back in the good books of his manager.
Wenger still has issues with his frontline strikers but if chances continue to come, either Olivier Giroud or Danny Welbeck will eventually take one of them to improve on their respective goalless streaks.
Recent form: DWWDDW
Recent form (all competitions): LWWDDW
Team News
© Getty ImagesMidfielder Jack Wilshere could feature in the 18-man squad for the first time this season after successfully coming through his appearances in the reserve setup.
However, providing there are no late fitness issues, Wenger could name the same team that started against West Brom on Thursday.
Allardyce could be forced into a change at right-back with DeAndre Yedlin struggling with an ankle injury.
That could see Billy Jones drafted into the starting lineup, while Jack Rodwell could return to the squad after recovering from illness.
Duncan Watmore is also a possible inclusion after impressing in his appearance off the bench against Norwich City.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Mannone; Jones, Kaboul, Kone, Van Aanholt; Kirchhoff, M'Vila, Cattermole; Borini, Watmore; Defoe
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Ramsey, Elneny; Sanchez, Iwobi, Ozil; Giroud
Head To Head
This weekend's fixture will represent the 150th time that the two clubs have met in a competitive match, with Sunderland claiming 49 victories compared to 60 wins registered by the Gunners.
Sunderland have a dismal recent record against Arsenal with only two draws being recorded in their last eight meetings, and they are without a Premier League success since 2009.
Arsenal have also won each of the last three matches in the North-East, with Sunderland only scoring one goal in those fixtures.
We say: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
Sunderland will still be on a high from their demolition of Norwich City but they face a sterner test in the form of Arsenal and given the attacking talent that Wenger has at his disposal, we expect the Gunners to do just enough to claim a narrow victory.
