Sunderland v Middlesbrough: match preview

Probable starters, contenders in light. Photograph: The Guardian

While Wear-Tees clashes lack the fierce intensity of their Tyne-Wear cousins – the clubs are 35 miles apart – the atmosphere will still be highly charged. If David Moyes must trust Younès Kaboul’s defection to Watford does not leave Álvaro Negredo scenting blood, Jermain Defoe would relish defying Víctor Valdés. For the past five seasons Sunderland have failed to win a league game in August but, much as Moyes wants to put that right in his first home league match with his new club, Aitor Karanka could do with a derby win. Louise Taylor

Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm

Venue Stadium of Light

Last season n/a

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee Martin Atkinson

This season G1, Y0, R0, 0.0 cards per game

Odds H 11-7 A 11-5 D 9-4

Sunderland

Subs from Pickford, Jones, Khazri, Gooch, Lens, Asoro, Robson, Honeyman, Greenwood

Doubtful Jones (hip)

Injured Larsson (knee, Mar), Kirchoff (hamstring, unknown), Cattermole (groin, unknown)

Suspended None

Form L

Discipline Y2 R0

Leading scorer Defoe 1

Middlesbrough

Subs from Konstantopoulos, Guzan, Nsue, Da Silva, De Sart, Baptiste, Rhodes, Nugent, Stuani, Fischer, De Pena

Doubtful Ayala (ankle)

Injured De Roon (hamstring, unknown), Leadbitter (groin, unknown), Espinosa (knee, Sep)

Suspended None

Form D

Discipline Y3 R0

Leading scorer Negredo 1