Sunderland have hit a slightly rough patch as they were steamrolled by Manchester United, but came back strongly against Blackpool. And despite doing everything they could against the Seasiders, the inability to put the ball in the back of the net saw the Black Cats falling to a second consecutive defeat.
But what will worry manager Steve Bruce is that his side have scored only one goal in their last four games, with that goal being a Danny Welbeck header against Bolton.
Just as worrying would be the form shown by Darren Bent, as the prolific goal scorer has not added to his tally of seven goals in the last five games for the club. This means that the former Tottenham forward has not scored even once throughout December, and he may need to pick things up against Blackburn if the supporters of the Wearside club are to return happily.
Not Particularly Bright At Stadium Of Light
Blackburn Rovers have a disheartening record on Wearside, as they have won only 14 times in 68 trips to Sunderland - who have won on 42 occasions with the remainder being draws. Even as early as last season, Steve Bruce’s men managed to carve out a decent 2-1 victory over their opponents as a Kenwyne Jones double was enough to sink Rovers.
Now with the change in management, there is significant pressure on Steve Kean and his men to deliver the right kind of results – as he is filling in following the widely unpopular dismissal of Sam Allardyce.
But three wins and a draw away from home makes for a not too shabby record on their travels, while their attack has been doing the damage during time away from Ewood Park. Fourteen goals to date means that Rovers have been very good at putting the ball where it belongs, but their defence has been a little shaky as they have conceded 19 in the process.
But all said and done, they are currently in a very respectable mid-table position and a victory would not only reinforce their status as a proper Premier League side, but would also serve to take some of the pressure off the club’s much-maligned owners.
TEAM NEWS
Sunderland
John Mensah (ankle), Michael Turner, Titus Bramble and Fraiser Campbell (all knee) are all sidelined through their respective injuries.
But now Nedum Onuoha, Lee Cattermole and Asamoah Gyan have all become big doubts after manager Steve Bruce confirmed the same.
Possible starting XI: Gordon; Elmohamady, Bramble, Ferdinand, Bardsley; Riveros, Henderson, Meyler, Richardson; Welbeck, Bent.
Blackburn
Paul Robinson has been ruled out for three weeks with a calf strain so Mark Bunn will take his place in goal.
Keith Andrews, Vince Grella and Steven NZonzi (all groin), Phil Jones (knee) and Jason Roberts (hamstring) are all sidelined for this game.
Nikola Kalinic and Michel Salgado will also be unavailable for this encounter, as both players are serving a suspension.
Possible starting XI: Bunn; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson; E Diouf, Dunn, Pedersen, Hoilett; M Diouf, Benjani.
Prediction
Sunderland 2-0 Blackburn 
