Sunderland play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon looking for a morale-boosting win ahead of competing in the Championship playoffs.
At a time when the Black Cats are fourth in the table, the visitors are 15th and with their head coach on gardening leave.
Match preview
For much of his first season in charge, Regis Le Bris has been a breath of fresh air at the Stadium of Light, keeping Sunderland in the top six of the table.
However, despite the obvious joy that comes with earning a place in the playoffs with several weeks to spare, the Black Cats have now lost four matches in a row.
Swansea City, Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United have all overcome the North-East giants, who have also scored just the one goal.
That record is extended to only four strikes being netted across a nine-match period, and there is an argument that Sunderland are now the outsiders for promotion given their form.
Nevertheless, Le Bris will view this contest as an opportunity for his players to get back on track at a time when their only three defeats at the Stadium of Light this season have come in the most recent six fixtures.
As for QPR, they are in complete disarray ahead of their long trip up North with head coach Marti Cifuentes having been placed on gardening leave, seemingly a consequence of his representatives holding discussions with West Bromwich Albion.
While the two parties are yet to formally part ways, that now feels inevitable, there being a sour taste over how the Spaniard’s stay may end despite consolidating QPR’s place in the second tier of English football.
The current standing of 15th is an improvement on last season’s 18th-placed finish, while QPR recently put together a run of nine points from six matches.
On the flip side, the Hoops suffered a 5-0 defeat at home to Burnley last time out, and it remains to be seen how they will react to that embarrassment at Loftus Road.
Team News
Le Bris must decide whether to hand rests to key players ahead of the playoffs or name his strongest possible XI in the hope that it will lead to a win.
The likes of Dennis Cirkin, Alan Browne and Tom Watson are all pushing for opportunities in defence and midfield.
Dan Ballard, Eliezer Mayenda and Romaine Mundle have all returned to training after injury but may not be risked from the start here.
On the back of a 5-0 defeat and no permanent head coach at the helm, the QPR starting lineup is a complete unknown.
Ilias Chair and Michael Frey can expect returns in the final third, while teenager Emmerson Sutton is also pushing for his first league start. Paul Smyth remains suspended.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Browne; Roberts, Rigg, Fee; Isidor
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Dunne, Morrison, Edwards, Paal; Varane, Colback; Chair, Madsen, Dembele; Frey
We say: Sunderland 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
With QPR under temporary management, it remains to be seen how they will react, particularly on the back of such a heavy defeat. However, we feel that the extra motivation in the Sunderland camp will serve them well as they bid for a much-needed win.
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