Despite the reticence from many to refer to this match as a derby, there is evidence to suggest that the fouls could flow between these two teams, and, specifically, that Romaine Mundle could be one player to be central to the battle, despite playing left-wing.

Indeed, it appears to be partly because of his position on the pitch that Mundle is so heavily involved in fouls. Jack Clarke dominated that role for Sunderland and averaged 1.4 fouls per 90 there, since Mundle assumed the position he has averaged 3.1 fouls per 90 this season.

Mundle is key to the Sunderland press and also he works back to help his team defensively. He committed two fouls against Plymouth, as well as collecting a yellow card. Before that there were four fouls in 73 minutes against Portsmouth, five fouls against Burnley, and even one in a very brief sub appearance against Sheffield Wednesday. It is a small sample size, but it is very strong evidence that the bookmakers may not have caught up with yet.

Sky Bet make a single foul by Mundle a 1.44 shot, which puts him seventh in the list of Sunderland players. It is remarkable that six other Sunderland players are priced shorter than Mundle when he is likely to start, and has a decent chance of finishing the match as well. His fouls record is really strong, his foul average is the highest of all Sunderland players with more than one appearance this season as well.

He will be up against Luke Ayling, who, as we know from a decade or more of football, is no shrinking violet. Ayling has drawn at least one foul in five of his six starts this season, including two last time against Preston.

The higher lines of two fouls (3.0) and three fouls (8.5) are also well worth looking at here considering the data that Mundle has been putting up and the fixture that he is playing in here. This match saw six yellow cards, plus a red, and exactly 27 fouls in both encounters last season.