Sunderland will continue their hunt for Premier League survival when they take on West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.
Sam Allardyce's side have recorded score draws in their last three top-flight fixtures and remain three points from safety, while Tony Pulis's Baggies have lost once in their last five games.
Sunderland
© Getty ImagesThe Black Cats have eight games left to retain their Premier League status and it is a doable job given that they are three points from survival.
Relegation battles are becoming something of the norm on Wearside and in previous seasons they have passed the test, but they need to pick up some wins in order to make life more comfortable this time around.
Sunderland have not won a league game since their 2-1 triumph over Manchester United at home on February 13. Since then they have recorded one defeat to West Ham United and score draws with Crystal Palace, Southampton and arch rivals Newcastle United.
The reaction to their most recent result was mixed as they managed to get a point at St James' Park, but they failed to see out the win after leading through Jermain Defoe from the 44th minute.
Aleksandar Mitrovic equalised for Rafael Benitez's Newcastle side, who are also battling relegation, seven minutes from time and the Black Cats were forced to settle for a point.
The home team is generally given an advantage due to playing in front of their home crowd, but Sunderland have only managed to win four of their 14 league matches at the Stadium of Light.
Given that five of their remaining eight fixtures are at home, Allardyce's men will need to improve their results on Wearside, particularly as they have not kept a clean sheet in seven of their games on home soil.
The positive for Sunderland is that they have Defoe in decent form as he has scored in back-to-back league games against Southampton and Newcastle, but last week's international break may have halted the striker's momentum.
After facing West Brom, Sunderland face difficult tests against two title contenders, Leicester City and Arsenal, and one fellow relegation battler in Norwich City.
All points at this stage of the season are important, but given that just three points separate Newcastle, Sunderland and Norwich, this weekend's games are particularly vital.
One person who will not be helping the Black Cats in their campaign is Emmanuel Eboue after the 32-year-old's contract was terminated a matter of weeks after he signed for the club.
The Ivorian, who has been issued with a 12-month ban from FIFA for allegedly not paying his agent, did not make a single appearance for Sunderland.
Recent form: DWLDDD
West Bromwich Albion
© Getty ImagesThis weekend's game could be an important one for the Baggies as they can reach that all-important 40-point mark if they earn at least a draw at the Stadium of Light.
While West Brom's Premier League safety has been pretty much assured for a while, most teams can begin to relax when they hit 40 points.
Tony Pulis's future as the club's manager is a side issue that has been rumbling in the background this season as he is due to hold talks with the board when the campaign comes to a close in May.
The 58-year-old, who joined the Baggies last year, has not guided the team to any silverware this season, but he could give them a top-10 finish in the league.
Pulis's fate may not be the only talking point this summer where West Brom are concerned as Saido Berahino's future is likely to make headlines once again following reports that Stoke City are still interested in the England Under-21 international.
With regards to matters on the pitch, West Brom have had some positive results of late having earned 1-0 wins over Everton and Manchester United, as well as a 3-2 triumph over Crystal Palace at home.
Their unbeaten run of league games was stopped at four prior to the international break as they were undone by a Robbie Brady goal in their match against Norwich City.
Results have not gone their way on the road this season as they have only managed to win four of their 14 matches, having lost five and drawn five.
The Baggies are currently 11th in the standings, two points behind Chelsea, who sit above them.
Recent form: LWWDWL
Recent form (all competitions): WWLDWL
Team News
Younes Kaboul could make his return to the Sunderland lineup after suffering a calf injury against Newcastle on March 20 prior to the international break.
Aside from Duncan Watmore, Allardyce is expected to have a healthy squad as both Lamine Kone and Wahbi Khazri have recovered from knocks that they picked up on international duty, while Billy Jones should also be fit.
As for West Brom, Callum McManaman could feature in the game as he upped his recovery from an ankle problem in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this week.
James Morrison is out with a hamstring injury, while Stephane Sessegnon will be assessed after he played for Benin in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan in the week.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Mannone; Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; Khazri, M'Vila, Kirchhoff, Rodwell, Borini; Defoe
West Brom possible starting lineup:
Foster; Dawson, Evans, Olsson, Chester; Sessegnon, Yacob, Fletcher, McClean; Berahino, Rondon
Head To Head
The Baggies have a positive record against Sunderland if their last 12 league meetings are taken into account as they have lost just one of those games.
Eight of those matches were wins for West Brom, while three were drawn, and Berahino particularly enjoys this fixture as he has scored three goals in his last three league games against Sunderland.
In addition, West Brom have beaten the Black Cats more times in the top flight than any other team (9).
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We say: Sunderland 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
West Brom may be leading the way in the head-to-heads, but Sunderland are fighting for their lives down at the bottom of the table and are desperate for victories. They have drawn their last three, but they have Defoe in decent form and the Baggies failed to trouble Norwich's goal in their last game before the international break. Given how crucial these three points are for Sunderland, they could have just enough to get a much-needed win.
