Preview: Sunderland v Boro

The Black Cats have lost all the home games played so far, Roy Keane would want to start winning as the club's aim for this season might not just be survival.

Venue: Stadium of Light

Referee: Howard Webb

Sunderland has taken only four points in four matches, losing the home matches to Liverpool and Manchester City. Their only win came against Tottenham Hotspurs in the away match.

Keane has spend enough to strengthen his squad and to have a decent finish somewhere in the mid-table. The new signings Diouf, Malbranque, Cisse and Chimbonda has already impressed and are looking good to be part of the permanent first-team line-up.

Gareth Southgate has a good squad including the impressive Mido who has started scoring goals. Boro has a good attacking line-up with the trio, Tuncay, Alves and Mido upfront. Aliadeiere and Downing will add to the attack from the flanks, they seem to miss a holding midfielder.

Boro has not won any match away from home this season and the results of all the matches involving Boro has been 2-1.

Injuries and Suspensions

Sunderland has Jones still missing from attack, though Chopra makes a return after a three-match ban.

Tuncay Sanli is injured,Rhys Williams is sidelined for four months. Not all bad news for Southgate as Wheater, Arca and Emnes are back from injury.

KeyMen

Sunderland - Diouf

The Senegalese had been indispensible to the Bolton squad last season, he helped them to survive in the Premier League almost single handedly. His pace and forward runs will push the Boro defense back and will help the other players like Cisse or Richardson to get forward.

Middlesbrough - Alves

The Brazilian striker is strong, pacey and has good finishing ability. He can hold the ball up and play a killer pass which might help Mido to add one more to his scoring tally.