Preview: Sunderland vs. Cardiff City

Sunderland host Cardiff City on Sunday lunchtime knowing that three points could potentially take them out of the relegation zone.

The Black Cats stunned both Manchester City and Chelsea last week by taking four points off the title-chasing sides to close the gap from the bottom of the table to safety to just three points.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is likely to name the same starting lineup that performed so impressively at Stamford Bridge.

Five points from their last four games have helped Cardiff retain hope of avoiding the drop, and a win at the Stadium of Light could see the Bluebirds move out of the relegation zone.

Despite only drawing at home with Stoke City last weekend, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could name the same 11 players for the trip to the North-East.

Recent form

Sunderland: LLLLDW

Cardiff City: LLDLWD

Possible starting lineups

Sunderland: Mannone; Vergini, Alonso, O'Shea, Brown; Cattermole, Johnson, Larsson, Colback, Borini; Wickham

Cardiff City: Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Fabio, Caulker, Torres; Medel, Kim, Mutch, Whittingham, Daehli; Campbell

Sports Mole says: 2-1