Sunderland and Middlesbrough meet in a north-east derby at the Stadium of Light on Sunday in the Premier League’s early kick-off.
The home team produced a spirited first performance under new boss David Moyes last weekend against Manchester City. However, the Black Cats eventually fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, courtesy of an own goal from debutant Paddy McNair.
Middlesbrough made a solid return to the Premier League last weekend, drawing 1-1 at home against Stoke City. Spanish internationals Victor Valdes and Alvaro Negredo made their Borough debuts, with the latter opening his goalscoring account on his first Premier League appearance for the northeast side.
Sunderland lost boss Sam Allardyce and replaced him with the much-maligned Moyes earlier this summer. Moyes proved during his days with Everton that he can stabilise a club and Sunderland is a club in major need of stabilising at the moment.
The Black Cats threadbare squad is even smaller now that centre-back Younes Kaboul has joined Watford. Things could get even worse for Moyes after highly-rated centre-back Lamine Kone turned down an offer of a new deal with the Black Cats amid talk of a move to Everton.
Middlesbrough will represent tough opposition in this Wear-Tees derby, as Spanish boss Aitor Karanka has his side well-drilled and they concede very few goals. The addition of Valdes in goal will just further strengthen that defensive resolve.
Sunderland fans will be expecting a victory in this clash, but in truth, there may be very little that separates these two rivals from the north east.