Sunderland head into their first "derby" of the season, as we play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday lunchtime (12.45pm kick-off).

There could be some changes after the Lads' ineffective performance in the draw at Wigan last weekend, but it's thought that Anton Ferdinand and Nyron Nosworthy will keep their partnership together, as Pascal Chimbonda looks the most likely of our back-line to lose their place.

Andy Reid will be pushing for a start after being dropped to the bench at Wigan - with Dean Whitehead expected to lost his spot in the starting XI, as we should maintain a 4-4-2 formation with El Hadji Diouf and Djibril Cisse up front.

Injury wise, with Michael Chopra back from suspension and rehab, we have Darren Ward (neck, back), Kenwyne Jones (knee) and Martyn Waghorn (knee) on the sidelines, while Dwight Yorke could be included if Keano wants to bait Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner any more...

Sunderland (possible XI)
1. Craig Gordon
21. Pascal Chimbonda, 5. Nyron Nosworthy, 26. Anton Ferdinand, 3. George McCartney
8. Steed Malbranque, 4. Teemu Tainio, 10. Kieran Richardson, 20. Andy Reid
11. El Hadji Diouf, 9. Djibril Cisse

Julio Arca is pushing for a return against Sunderland, but the Argentine former cult hero is likely to only make the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.

Two more former Sunderland old-boys (albeit on loan) should also figure, with Stewart Downing being joined by the recently signed Justin Hoyte in Gareth Southgate's starting XI. Didier Digard should get over a thigh injury to play, while David Wheater is expected to start after recovering from tonsilitis.

Tuncay Sanli is out with a knee injury, and Mohamed Shawky is close to a return after his hamstring problem.

Middlesbrough (from): Turnbull, Hoyte, Huth, Riggott, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, O’Neil, Digard, Taylor, Downing, Alves, Mido, Johnson, Jones, Wheater, Porritt, Walker, Craddock, Shawky, Arca.

What The Bookies Say
Sunderland win - 5/4; Middlesbrough win - 11/5; Draw - 11/5
Sunderland to win 1-0 - 6/1; Middlesbrough to win 1-0 - 8/1; 1-1 draw - 11/2
First Scorer Odds: Djibril Cisse (6/1); Afonso Alves (13/2); El Hadji Diouf, David Healy, Mido, Daryl Murphy (7/1); Michael Chopra (15/2)
Our Prediction: Sunderland 2 Middlesbrough 0 (9/1)
(all odds from BoyleSports.com)

Through Rain and Shine
It'll be cloudy with some outbreaks of sun at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, with a light breeze keeping temperatures at around 15C.
(weather from AccuWeather.com)

Last Five Meetings
Sunderland 3 Middlesbrough 2 (April 2008); Middlesbrough 2 Sunderland 2 (September 2007); Sunderland 0 Middlesbrough 3 (January 2006); Middlesbrough 0 Sunderland 2 (September 2005); Sunderland 1 Middlesbrough 3 (February 2003)