Team news: Hull, Leeds, Wednesday, Huddersfield, Barnsley, Doncaster, Middlesbrough, Blades, Rotherham, Bradford, York
The Tigers are in danger of being sucked into a relegation scrap, but victory over the Black Cats would give them some welcome breathing space.
In the Championship, troubled Leeds United are in a 12.15pm kick-off at Yeovil, while Sheffield Wednesday travel to Reading, Barnsley host Ipswich, and Doncaster Rovers head for Brighton.
Premier League
Sunderland v Hull City
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTeam news: Jake Livermore returns to the squad after sitting out last week’s game against parent club Spurs. Also, Sone Aluko is back in the fold after nearly four months out injured and likely to be on the bench. James Chester remains out.
Championship
Barnsley v Ipswich Town
Team news: Bobby Hassell, Lewin Nyatanga and Jean-Yves Mvoto are available for the Reds, but midfield duo Jacob Mellis and Emmanuel Frimpong are banned following their dismissals at Hillsborough.
Brighton & HA v Doncaster
Team news: Captain Richie Wellens serves the first game of a two-match ban. Paul Keegan, who looked an early doubt after injuring his thigh against Middlesbrough, should be okay according to Paul Dickov, who is without Ross Turnbull (thigh).
Huddersfield v Wigan
Team news: Mark Robins will check on the fitness of James Vaughan (knee) as the Terriers look to end a damaging four-game losing run. Martin Paterson could also return to the starting line-up, while Adam Hammill is back in the squad after missing the derby loss to Leeds.
Middlesbrough v Blackburn
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTeam news: Daniel Ayala is out for up to two months after damaging ankle ligaments at Doncaster and joins Rhys Williams (Achilles) on the sidelines. Jonathan Woodgate (thigh) will start his first game since Boxing Day. Top-scorer Albert Adomah also returns for Boro.
Yeovil v Leeds (12.15)
Team news: Matt Smith returns from a three-game ban, while Noel Hunt is also in the reckoning for a first league appearance since the start of October. Yeovil are set to hand a first start to Manchester United loanee Tom Lawrence. Cardiff loanee Joe Ralls set to continue.
Reading v Sheffield Wednesday
Team news: Centre-half Glenn Loovens faces a late fitness test as Wednesday are missing six defenders. Midfielders Giles Coke and Jermaine Johnson are suspended. But winger Michail Antonio (knee) returns after two months out.
League One
Bradford City v Crewe
Team news: James Hanson (hamstring) and Andrew Davies (knee) are expected to return after sitting out the defeat at Wolverhampton. Kyle Bennett is also back in the reckoning after serving a one-game ban but Nathan Doyle will miss out following his own red card.
Colchester United v Rotherham United
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTeam news: Millers chief Steve Evans picks from strength, with captain Craig Morgan back in contention and new signing Nicky Adams also in the fray after arriving for an undisclosed fee from Crawley Town.
Sheffield United v Shrewsbury Town
Team news: Billy Paynter returns to the squad after being Cup-tied in midweek. Michael Doyle, though, is still missing as the Blades captain serves the third and final game of the ban he incurred when sent off against Fulham on January 26.
League Two
York City v Cheltenham
Team news: Russell Penn and Keith Lowe are both likely to line-up against their former club as manager Nigel Worthington keeps changes to a minimum following last week’s win at Fleetwood. Penn may again captain the side in place of David McGurk.