This has all the makings of a tight encounter, but if 1 team is going to be slightly favoured over the other then it would have to be the Black Cats.

They remain unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season, and despite general struggles in comparison to their blistering start, their performance levels have remained strong. Defeat to Stoke last week came despite over 1 xG difference in Sunderland’s favour.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United have faltered when visiting other top teams in the league. They lost at Leeds and Middlesbrough, and over Christmas, they lost to Burnley at home and failed to beat West Brom at home as well. Recently they have travelled to West Brom and Coventry and failed to win on either occasion too.

Under 2.5 goals has landed in all of Sheffield United’s last 5 Championship matches. Sunderland are missing a number of attacking weapons such as Romaine Mundle, and his replacement, youngster Tom Watson, who has been shot heavy and very dangerous in his appearances. The #9 and #10 that Sunderland used against Stoke last time out have no goals and one assist between them.

Sheffield United are not a free scoring team at the best of times. They have scored more than twice only on 1 occasion this season, that was at home to Oxford in November.

Given the likely tactical nature of this battle, especially in the first half, and recent trends of big matches in the Championship, eg Middlesbrough v Burnley or Derby v Leeds, teams have been quite trepidatious and circumspect in the way that they have approached their football.

Neither Regis Le Bris or Chris Wilder are all-out attack football coaches, and will want to establish a foothold in the match before trying to dominate the opposition. It was a late goal that settled the previous match between these 2 clubs a few weeks ago, with Tom Davies netting an 83rd minute winner (1-0).