Sunderland vs AFC Wimbledon. Sky Bet League One.
Stadium of LightAttendance30,424.
Thursday 31 January 2019 20:37, UK
Sunderland could hand debuts to new recruits Grant Leadbitter and Lewis Morgan when they welcome Wimbledon to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Midfielder Leadbitter returned to his first club from Middlesbrough earlier this week, while winger Morgan has arrived from Celtic on loan for the remainder of the season.
The promotion contenders have not played in League One since the 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe on January 19, during which time they have lost top scorer Josh Maja to Bordeaux. However, midfielder George Honeyman is fit again after missing the last eight games with an ankle injury and could be involved.
Shane McLoughlin could be included in the Wimbledon squad for the first time after completing a switch from Sky Bet Championship Ipswich. The 21-year-old has joined the bottom-of-the-table club on a permanent deal, although he may do well to force himself into the 18 following last weekend's FA Cup fourth-round heroics against Premier League West Ham.
On-loan full-back Steve Seddon missed the 4-2 victory over the Hammers because he was cup-tied, and he is available once again. Striker Kwesi Appiah returned from a hamstring problem last weekend and lasted 76 minutes, and there were starts too for defender Rod McDonald and midfielder Scott Wagstaff after injury.
Sunderland won their only previous league meeting between AFC Wimbledon in the reverse fixture, a 2-1 victory in August.
AFC Wimbledon are the fourth team to visit Sunderland for a league game for the first time this season - none of the previous three (Fleetwood, Rochdale, Wycombe) have won (D2 L1).
Sunderland have drawn each of their last three league games despite scoring the first goal in all three.
No side has picked up fewer points in League One in 2019 so far than AFC Wimbledon (one - level with Rochdale).
Aiden McGeady has been directly involved in six goals in his last seven league games at the Stadium of Light, scoring three and assisting three.
Sunderland have slipped off the pace having drawn their last three, but Jack Ross won't be too concerned yet because they have games in hand against all the sides around them.
AFC Wimbledon were absolutely brilliant against West Ham in the FA Cup, but it is back to the reality of their position in League One now. Home win for me.
David Prutton predicts: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
