Sunderland and Millwall welcome the Championship back to action following the World Cup break with just four points separating the two sides.
Despite the small gap in points, it is a battle between 15th and 6th at the Stadium of Light, with the Black Cats hoping to gain more consistency during the second half of the season.
Tony Mowbray has ended a decent job since taking over from Alex Neil at the end of August and they come into this game on the back of a win away at Birmingham City.
Millwall occupy the final play-off place after another good season so far under Gary Rowett, having beaten Preston North End 4-2 at Deepdale last time out.
Sunderland vs Millwall Betting Tips
Team news
Sunderland are hoping to welcome back star striker Ross Stewart in the near future, but this game may come too soon for the Scotland man, who hasn’t played since the end of August.
Dan Ballard is still absent following a foot injury while Jewison Bennette is the only player across the two squads who has been active at the World Cup and will not be involved in the game.
Full-back Niall Huggins returned from 14 months out injured in the last game against Birmingham and will hope to retain his place.
Meanwhile, Millwall have no fresh injury concerns following the three-week break since the last league game.
George Honeyman was withdrawn early in the second half of their 4-2 win at Preston, but played in a mid-season friendly against Brondby and should be fit.
Draw @ 11/5
This game is very hard to call despite the disparity in league placings.
Sunderland have played some good football, but their season has been marred by inconsistency as they sit 15th in the table, having not won successive games all campaign.
They have only won two of their nine games at home this season with four draws as well. Therefore, the win at Birmingham could be a bad omen coming into this game.
Millwall’s season has been excellent and they come into this game on the back of five wins in eight matches.
Defensively, they have been superb once again and they have let only five goals go past them in their last eight games.
The last two meetings between Sunderland and Millwall ended all square in the 2017-18 season and this one looks like it could end in a stalemate.
Zian Flemming to score anytime @ 3/1
One thing that Millwall have added to their squad this season is a natural goalscorer in the form of Dutchman Zian Flemming.
The former Fortuna Sittard man has scored eight goals in 17 appearances for the Lions this season and is their main threat up top.
All of those goals have been scored in Millwall’s last 11 games and comes into this game having netted a hat-trick at Preston, so is likely to be full of confidence.
