Two teams that have made contrasting starts to the Premier League season will square off on Sunday afternoon, as Sunderland welcome Aston Villa to the Stadium of Light.
Regis Le Bris’ hosts were widely tipped for a season of struggle upon their return to the big time, however the early signs have been promising.
The Black Cats have banked seven points from a possible 12, the most recent of which came courtesy of a hard-fought goalless draw away at Crystal Palace last weekend.
Seeking to keep the feelgood factor flowing, Sunderland will look to add to Aston Villa’s early season woes this weekend.
Unai Emery’s side have been slow out of the blocks this term, posting two defeats and two draws from their opening four league games of the season.
To make matters worse, Villa crashed out of the Carabao Cup in midweek at Brentford, suffering a 4-2 penalty shoot-out loss following a 1-1 draw inside 90 minutes.
How the bookies view it: Villa set for first victory
Despite failing to win any of their opening four Premier League matches of the season, Aston Villa are 21/20 favourites on Boylesports for a victory on Sunday afternoon.
Sunderland – who have won each of their two top-flight home games this term – are big outsiders here at 13/5 on Boylesports while a share of the Stadium of Light spoils is an unfancied 9/4 with the same firm.
Head to head: History against the hosts
Sunderland have won just one of their previous 12 encounters with Aston Villa across all competitions, with the hosts coming away empty-handed from three of the last five meetings between the pair.
Players to watch: Morgan to make his mark?
Having registered a shot on target in each of his last three outings for Aston Villa, Morgan Rogers looks overpriced to repeat the trick this weekend at 4/5 on Boylesports.
Granit Xhaka was booked in Sunderland's last home game and the all-action Swiss midfielder holds plenty of appeal to tackle his way into trouble again on Sunday at 12/5 on Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups
Sunderland will once again be unable to call upon the services of Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, Luke O'Nien and Romaine Mundle, however Dan Ballard is closing in on a return from injury.
After shuffling his pack in midweek, Villa boss Emery will almost certainly revert back to the strongest starting XI available to him on Sunday afternoon, though Youri Tielemans looks set to miss out after being forced off with a calf issue against Everton last weekend.
Sunderland: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Mandava; Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Isidor, Adingra
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Bogarde, Kamara; McGinn, Rogers, Elliot; Watkins
Anything else catch the eye?
With a keenly-contested showdown expected at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon, a minimum of five cards looks well within range at 10/11 on Bet365.
This bet would have been a winning one in each of Aston Villa’s last two Premier League matches.
It's also worth noting that five cards were flashed during Sunderland's last home game with Brentford.
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