Sunderland are currently on a six-game winning streak in all competitions.
Jack Ross’s Sunderland are currently on an unbeaten run of nine matches, while also recently making it six wins on the bounce in all competitions after beating Plymouth Argyle 2-0 last weekend.
The priority for the Black Cats remains promotion back to the Championship, but this Sunday their FA Cup campaign begins against Port Vale, resulting in a week off from third-tier football.
Ross’s side have played plenty of matches lately, with six in total in October, and this weekend is a chance for the Scot to field some fringe players against League Two opposition.
Sunderland’s trip to Vale Park this Sunday will be only the third meeting between the two sides and the first since 1998, with the last match ending in a 2-0 victory for the Wearside team.
This weekend’s away team might feature some fringe members of the Sunderland squad, but Ross and the travelling fans will be desperate to win here, with the chance to go into the hat for the next round against some big clubs.
Likely starters this Sunday include Bryan Oviedo, who has not featured since his sending off against Peterborough, as well as fringe players Robbin Ruiter, Bali Mumba and Luke O’Nien.
Lee Cattermole could also feature after missing out against Plymouth, but that will be touch and go after picking up an ankle injury.
The game against fourth-tier opposition will be one that Watford loanee Jerome Sinclair also hopes to start in order to add to his one goal this term.
Below is how we predict Sunderland will set up against Port Vale for their first meeting in 20 years, with nine changes to the side that won in the South of England on Saturday afternoon.
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