Preview:Hull City vs. Sunderland - prediction, team news, lineups

After suffering back-to-back pre-season defeats, Sunderland will visit Championship side Hull City on Tuesday.

Building up to their long-awaited Premier League comeback, the Black Cats take on the Tigers at MKM Stadium.

Match preview

Ahead of a first top-flight campaign for eight years, Sunderland have been busy in the transfer market, and on-pitch preparations are now stepping up a notch.

Promotion-winning coach Regis Le Bris - who led his team to a dramatic Wembley win over Sheffield United in May - already has one eye on the Black Cats' league opener, at home to West Ham United on August 16.

Sunderland started pre-season with games against local sides Gateshead and South Shields - drawing 2-2 and winning 4-0 respectively - before heading over to Portugal, where they drew 1-1 with Sevilla.

After losing to Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon a few days later, the Black Cats then met Hearts in Edinburgh, for Craig Gordon’s testimonial.

Causing some concern for Le Bris, the visitors were beaten 3-0 at Tynecastle, where they put in a tepid performance despite picking a strong XI.

So, in their final four warm-ups - against Hull City, Real Betis, Augsburg and Rayo Vallecano - the Wearside club will aim to build some confidence ahead of a likely season-long struggle.

While Sunderland were scrapping at the top end of the Championship last term, Hull only swerved relegation by the skin of their teeth, edging out Luton Town on goal difference.

Following the subsequent departure of Ruben Selles, the Tigers appointed Sergej Jakirovic as head coach in June, with the ex-Kayserispor boss signing an initial two-year contract.

His preparations for the upcoming campaign have so far produced positive results, as Hull have beaten Istanbulspor, Kasimpasa and Stockport County in recent friendlies.

An EFL embargo has prevented the Yorkshire club from paying a fee for any players this summer, but that ban - set to last three transfer windows - is subject to an appeal, so Jakirovic may yet strengthen his squad.

Before visiting Coventry City for their opening league fixture, Hull will host Getafe next weekend, but first they seek a repeat of their last meeting with Sunderland - a 1-0 win back in February.

Hull City friendly form:

W W W W

Sunderland friendly form:

D W D L L

Team News

Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle recently underwent surgery on a hamstring injury suffered during the trip to Portugal and is now set to miss the start of the season.

He joins Luke O'Nien, Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde on the sidelines, but Chris Rigg, Wilson Isidor and Anthony Patterson will all be assessed before Tuesday's game.

Recent arrival Reinildo Mandava could make his first appearance, having been granted time off after representing Atletico Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup; fellow new boys Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki will all be involved.

Meanwhile, Hull City have been restricted by EFL sanctions, so a familiar lineup should start at MKM Stadium.

Belgian midfielder Eliot Matazo is still missing due to injury, while Abdulkadir Omur has joined Antalyaspor on loan; Irish defender Sean McLoughlin recently sealed a switch to Blackburn Rovers.

As veteran striker Joao Pedro was released at the end of last season, either Kyle Joseph or Mason Burstow may feature up front; free signing Akin Famewo is in contention to start at the back.

Hull City possible starting lineup:

Pandur; Giles, Egan, Hughes, Drameh; Slater, Crooks, Palmer; Kamara, Joseph, Brown

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Huggins, Ballard, Seelt, Reinildo; Diarra, Sadiki, Le Fee; Talbi, Mayenda, Adingra

We say: Hull City 1-2 Sunderland

Although Hull have picked up a few good pre-season results, Sunderland are piecing together a squad that could secure top-flight survival.

So, after a couple of setbacks, the Black Cats can claim a confidence-boosting win while giving valuable minutes to some of their new signings.