Preview: Hull City vs. Sunderland

Hull City host Sunderland on Sunday as Steve Bruce looks to prevent his former side from earning a second visit to Wembley.

Sunderland lost out to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final last weekend, and Bruce will be hoping that his side can take advantage of the Black Cats' disappointment.

Bruce will be without Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, so the Hull boss could include Sone Aluko and Yannick Sagbo in attack.

Despite the setback, Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet would have been encouraged by his team's display in North London, while three wins in their last six fixtures suggest that they have every change of gaining a result at the KC Stadium.

Striker Steven Fletcher could be rested, but Emanuele Giaccherini may earn a start in midfield.

Recent form

Hull City: WLDWWL

Sunderland: WWLWLL

Possible starting lineups

Hull City: McGregor; Elmohamady, Rosenior, Figueroa, Bruce, Davies; Livermore, Huddlestone, Meyler; Sagbo, Aluko

Sunderland: Mannone; Bardsley, Alonso, O'Shea, Brown; Cattermole, Johnson, Giaccherini, Ki, Colback; Borini

Sports Mole says: 2-1