Sunderland vs Wycombe preview
Friday 16 November 2018 13:53, UK
Sunderland have no new injury concerns for their Sky Bet League One clash with Wycombe on Saturday.
Midfielder Lee Cattermole (foot) has not recovered as quickly from a foot problem as had been hoped and remains sidelined while Ethan Robson and Denver Hume will also sit out the clash.
Long-term absentees Duncan Watmore and Charlie Wyke are both making good progress, with the latter back on the grass following his knee problem but three to four weeks away from a return.
Midfielder Luke O'Nien is pushing for a start against the club he left in the summer as Sunderland chase a ninth win in all competitions.
Wycombe face one of their most high-profile league opponents with a familiar face between the sticks. Goalkeeper Matt Ingram, who began his career in Buckinghamshire before joining QPR in 2016, has returned to Adams Park on a seven-day emergency loan because of injuries to Ryan Allsop and Yves Ma-Kalambay.
Allsop is expected to be sidelined until the new year after rupturing ankle ligaments in training on Monday while Ma-Kalambay broke a bone in his hand during last week's Checkatrade Trophy loss to Oxford. Forwards Adebayo Akinfenwa and Nathan Tyson and defender Michael Harriman could all return following injury.
Opta stats
This is the first ever meeting between Sunderland and Wycombe in any competition.
Sunderland haven't lost on their first league meeting against an opponent since November 1992, when they were beaten 2-5 by Peterborough.
Sunderland are unbeaten in their opening seven league games at the Stadium of Light (W4 D3) for the first time since 2010-11 - a season in which they went nine games unbeaten before defeat.
Wycombe have only managed one victory in eight league away games this season (D3 L4), losing each of their last two on the road.
Sunderland have gained 11 points from losing positions so far this season; more than any other League One side.
Prutton's prediction
Five wins on the spin now for Sunderland! They have only lost one game all season and only trail Portsmouth by three points because they have a game in hand. It is all looking good for Jack Ross and his side.
Wycombe have picked up a few big wins lately and look to be kicking away from the relegation zone. Anything in the top 20 this season would be a terrific finish for Gareth Ainsworth and his men. This, however, should be a win for the Black Cats.
David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
