Sunderland host Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship Last time out Sunderland drew at Preston and QPR lost to Fulham. Sunderland are still in search of an elusive first win at the Stadium of Light during 2017. QPR are on a run of five games without a victory, and they'll be hoping to put a swift end to this miserable run with a victory against the struggling Black Cats. Sunderland winger Duncan Watmore is expected to be involved against QPR after returning from a 10-month injury absence before the international break. Striker Lewis Grabban (hamstring) has missed the past five matches but is close to a comeback. Jordan Cousins could be added to the QPR squad for the first time this season following a hamstring injury. Defenders Grant Hall, James Perch (both knee) and Nedum Onuoha (hamstring) are all sidelined. Simon Grayson: “Josh is back training with us now,” it was a big blow for the lad, he'd waited patiently for his opportunity, worked hard in pre-season, looked very good, strong and powerful.” "We have got three home games this month that we need to be positive in them and get victories. We need to give our supporters something to cheer about. There would be no better thing to do that getting off to a good start this month with a win at home to QPR on Saturday. The supporters will play a very big part in all of this and we need to make sure we are giving them something to cheer about. We are all in this together and if we can win on Saturday it becomes a different environment for everybody." Ian Holloway: “It has been a very frustrating time. We are all disappointed with our recent points tally and feel pretty aggrieved that we haven’t taken more of the opportunities we have made.” “Sunderland have been struggling at home but we know it is still a tough place to go to, Simon Grayson is a fantastic manager, always very combative.” “But what we need to do is go there and assert ourselves and feel confident about what we can do.” Match facts: Sunderland haven't lost any of their last 10 league matches against QPR in the second tier (W6 D4). Their last defeat was in May 1973, four days after winning the FA Cup final against Leeds. QPR have beaten Sunderland in their last three league encounters, all in the Premier League between 2013 and 2015. Black Cats manager Simon Grayson hasn't lost any of his last seven league meetings with QPR (W4 D3) since a 3-2 defeat as Blackpool boss in March 2008. However, Grayson's heaviest home defeat as a manager came against an Ian Holloway side - Grayson's Leeds were hammered 5-0 by Blackpool in November 2011. QPR haven't won an away Championship match against a side who were relegated from the Premier League the previous season since beating Derby in January 2009, drawing nine and losing five since. Sunderland haven't failed to win any of their opening six home league games of a season since 2005-06, when they finished bottom of the Premier League. Form Sports Analytics Machine – home win Prutton predicts: tbc Referee: STEPHEN MARTIN Assistants: David Avent and Mark Jones Fourth Official: Anthony Backhouse Team Line ups Sunderland: Substitutes: Steele, Jones, Williams, Gooch, Watmore, O’Shea, Rodwell Doubtful McManaman, McNair Injured Grabban (hamstring, Oct) Queens Park Rangers Smithies, Baptiste, Robinson, Lynch, Bidwell, Scowen, Wszolek, Luongo, Freeman, Mackie, Sylla Subs from Furlong, Washington, Manning, Smith, Lumley, Osayi-Samuel, Wheeler Injured Grant Hall, James Perch (both knee), Onuoha (hamstring) Betting Odds: H 11/10 A 12/5 D 5/2 My two pence: After the draw at Preston and a few of our injured players back into the frame, I am a bit more optimistic about our chances of finally getting a home win. I’m going for a 2-0 win Ha’way the Lads
Trying to be positive for this one but I have a feeling that will be squashed by another bonkers team selection by Larry. I'd go something like; ------------------------Ruiter-------------------- Jones-----Browning--Oshea---Matthews -----------------Ndong--Cattermole------------ Mcmanaman---Honeyman---Mcgeady -------------------------Vaughan------------------- Think Oviedo will be struggling after being away on international duty. Watmore Williams Gooch from the bench.
Finally some football to talk about so the board can stop eating itself like a starving zombie. Going for a 1-0 win with Watmore scoring from the bench. Obviously he'll be on the pitch, not sitting down behind the dugout. I think it'll be a tight match and no classic.
I've put down for a win, not hopeful but i hope i get this one right, if we get stuffed ill be gutted
Thought Larry's press conference after Ipswich was very positive despite the result, and the players clearly played better and for him at Preston. So going for a Home Win. I'll be back to being pi$$ed aff if we lose tho!! Bart
I know that it's short notice, and it's pretty quiet on here this morning, but one of my daughters can't make it so I've got a spare ticket for today's match. Does anyone fancy it (you won't have to sit next to me ) ?
We havent won at home they havent won away. Surely something has to give. 3-0 to us with a Vaughan hat trick is what my heart & drunken head would say. Alas I fear a draw.
We really need to be going all out to win this one and kick start our season. If we start the game with some attacking intent and a line up which doesn't include 5 defenders and 2 holding midfielders I'll be quietly confident of getting the win today.
I’m not going. Through choice. It’s the first time I’ve chosen not to go due to work or being away or something. I think today is he day we are going to win but I’ve **** going on and I think I’d end up chinning someone if they started booing after 5 minutes. I’ll be glued to this thread to keep in touch, who knows if we win maybe as a superstition I stay away a while (I won’t...). I’m saying 3-1. I am not stalking any money on it of course...
seriously, 1 cb in the match day squad represents massive failure from short and the budget made available
