Sunderland have been quite inconsistent ever since Michael Beale took charge of the club a month ago, following the departure of former boss Tony Mowbray.
The Black Cats have won just two of his first six matches in all competitions and have suffered defeat three times while also drawing away at Rotherham United at the end of December. The side’s most recent game was a 2-1 loss away at second-place Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
This defeat has now left Sunderland outside the playoff places on goal difference, with Coventry City leaping inside the top six after a tremendous run of form over the past few weeks. However, Beale’s side return to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon for the first time since the gruelling derby defeat to Newcastle United in the FA Cup.
The visitors, Hull City, are merely one point behind their opponents and another loss for Sunderland could potentially leave them as low as 12th in the table if other results go against them which is lower than when Mowbray was relieved of his duties.
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Sky Sports pundit David Prutton believes that the Wearside club will endure further disappointment this weekend by falling to a 2-1 defeat to the Tigers. Writing in his EFL predictions column, the former Leeds United player said:
“Michael Beale needed a response at Ipswich after that defeat to Newcastle. Sunderland took the lead but couldn’t hold it, and the pressure is already building a little. Even though they are still very well-placed in the league.
