Over 7,000 Sunderland fans travel down to Lancashire to support the lads, as they hope to keep the pressure on the top 2 against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day.
Last time out, Sunderland won their final home match of 2024 after coming back from behind to beat Norwich City 2-1 thanks to goals from Dan Ballard and Jobe Bellingham.
Blackburn’s 6 match winning streak ended at Millwall last time out, as they were beaten 0-1 at The Den.
Blackburn’s recent form has seen them shoot up the table and into 5th, 6 points behind Sunderland in 4th, but with a game in hand.
Sunderland seem to have rekindled their early season form, as they have won 3 of their last 4 matches, and they now sit in 4th, just 2 points behind Leeds in 2nd.
If results went their way and Sunderland were to beat Blackburn today, they could move back into the automatic promotion places.
The last time the 2 sides met was at The Stadium of Light back in April, and Blackburn came out victorious with an emphatic 1-5 victory.
However, the last time they met at Ewood Park, Sunderland beat Rovers 1-3 thanks to a brave from Jack Clarke and a goal from Dan Neil.
The Black Cats have a job on their hands if they are to be at Blackburn in their own backyard, as Rovers have not tasted defeat at Ewood Park since they were beaten by Stoke City at the beginning of November.
Team News
Dan Ballard, who has scored in his last 2 matches, has been ruled out after picking up an injury late on last week.
Salis Abdul Samed is closing in on an inclusion, as he gets close to full fitness.
Romaine Mundle, Alan Browne, Tommy Watson and Niall Huggins all continue their respective rehabilitation programmes.
Prediction
Blackburn 1-2 Sunderland
Scorers – Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda