Robin Roefs has been a key contributor in between the sticks for Sunderland, he ranks second of all Premier League goalkeepers for total saves made. He has started all 11 league matches for the Black Cats, during which he is averaging 3.5 saves per game, landing this bet in eight out of 11 overall. 

Fulham haven’t quite been at their best in the final third this season, but they have looked better on home turf. In fact, they have won three of their five matches at Craven Cottage, while taking just a single point from their six away matches. 

Sunderland have been happy to sit deep and invite pressure this season, meaning they rank fourth in the division for total shots conceded. Fulham will have to be front-footed in their approach this weekend as they become a bit desperate for points, which should bring Roefs into the game.

It has been an underwhelming start to the season for Fulham, who have won just three of their opening 11 matches, putting them towards the bottom of the pile. To reflect their frustration, the Cottagers have committed the most fouls of any Premier League side this term. 

Raul Jimenez is averaging 2.52 fouls per 90 this season in all competitions, and has been a key contributor to that record. The Mexican international tends to press intensely from the front, and doesn’t shy away from a physical contest. 

He should find duels against Nordi Mukiele this weekend - the Sunderland defender has drawn a foul in seven of his nine matches this season since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen. The French international is averaging 1.0 fouls drawn per 90 this season, slightly lower than his average of 1.41 fouls drawn per 90 in the Bundesliga last term, highlighting how there is room for his current numbers to increase.  

Reinildo has been a solid performer at the back for Sunderland this season since arriving from Atletico Madrid. The 31-year-old has started all eight matches which he has been available for selection - he did receive a straight red card against Aston Villa in September which saw him miss three games, but he slotted straight back into his regular left back spot after that. 

The Mozambique international can be overly-aggressive in his challenges, and he has also picked up an additional two yellow cards alongside that straight red. In fact, Reinildo has committed a foul in all eight of his Premier League appearances, averaging 2.17 fouls per 90. 

He will be up against Harry Wilson this weekend, who is adept at drawing contact. The Welshman is averaging 1.49 fouls drawn per 90, making this a matchup to keep an eye on out wide.

Sunderland pulled off an excellent result just before the international break as they secured a 2-2 draw against the league-leaders Arsenal. Prior to that match, the Gunners had won 10 matches on the bounce, and conceded just a single goal in that stretch. Mikel Arteta was halted in his tracks by the newly-promoted Sunderland, led by none other than Granit Xhaka. 

That result made it four games undefeated for the Black Cats, lifting them up to fourth in the standings - one point behind Chelsea, and three points behind Man City. 

The feeling around the Fulham camp is a total contrast - the Cottagers are just one point above the relegation zone, having lost five of their last six matches. Their one win in that stretch came against basement-dwellers Wolves, who are still yet to win a game, and they had a man sent off in the first-half in that game.