Preview: Fulham vs. Sunderland

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has urged his side to carry their cup form over into the Premier League, starting with Saturday's visit to relegation rivals Fulham.

The Black Cats gave themselves a chance of qualifying for the Capital One Cup final with a 2-1 home win over Manchester United in the first leg of their last-four tie, but they remain bottom of the top flight.

Fulham have moved out of the relegation zone since the appointment of new head coach Rene Meulensteen, and the return of former favourite Clint Dempsey on a short-term loan deal is sure to boost their battle against the drop.

The American is in line to make his first Premier League start since leaving Tottenham Hotspur for the Seattle Sounders in the summer, and could play a supporting role to Dimitar Berbatov, who is likely to be one of many players recalled after being rested for the third-round FA Cup draw with Norwich City.

Sascha Riether, Philippe Senderos and John Arne Riise could all be restored in defence, while Steve Sidwell and Scott Parker should be included in the Fulham engine room after being given a weekend off.

Meulensteen has nearly a fully fit squad to choose from, with Brede Hangeland the only senior player currently in the treatment room, and therefore competition for attacking midfield positions will be fierce. Kieran Richardson and Damien Duff may be preferred to Alex Kacaniklic, Adel Taarabt, Ashkan Dejagah and Pajtim Kasami.

With winning momentum on his agenda, Poyet may stick with the majority of the starting XI that surprised the Red Devils in midweek, with new signing Marcos Alonso poised to continue at left back.

He may be forced into a change up front, though as Steven Fletcher is struggling with a knock and thus Jozy Altidore may get another go alongside Fabio Borini, while Adam Johnson's impact off the bench at the Stadium of Light may earn him a start at the expense of Emanuele Giaccherini.

Recent form

Fulham: WLWLLW

Sunderland: LDWDDL

Possible starting lineups

Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riise; Sidwell, Parker; Richardson, Dempsey, Duff; Berbatov

Sunderland: Mannone; Bardsley; Brown, O'Shea, Alonso; Larsson, Cattermole, Ki, Johnson; Altidore, Borini

Sports Mole says: 1-1