David Moyes could have done without Younes Kaboul’s summer-time switch to Watford and a defender who was integral in last season’s survival should probably brace himself for a somewhat frosty Wearside reception if he features. With Sunderland’s January transfer coffers bare, this season’s relegation fight will be all about making do and mending for Moyes whose attempt to lift his team out of the mire would be enhanced if they could start scoring from set pieces. The big problem is that Wahbi Khazri and Sebastian Larsson, his two dead-ball specialists, are merely substitutes these days. Louise Taylor
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Stadium of Light
Last season Sunderland 0 Watford 1
Referee Robert Madley
This season G12, Y57, R0, 4.75 cards per game
Odds H 17-10 A 2-1 D 12-5
Sunderland
Subs from Mannone, Love, O’Shea, Larsson, Khazri, Borini, Honeyman, Asoro
Doubtful Anichebe (thigh), Jones (hip), Pienaar (calf)
Injured Manquillo (hamstring, 26 Dec), Gooch (ankle, Mar), Cattermole (hip, Apr), McNair (Aug), Watmore (Oct), Kirchhoff (all knee, unknown), Rodwell (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Form WWLWLL
Discipline Y39 R2
Leading scorer Defoe 8
Watford
Subs from Pantilimon, Mariappa, Doucouré, Sinclair, Watson, Guedioura, Kaboul, Zúñiga, Success
Doubtful Behrami (ill)
Injured Cathcart (hernia, 26 Dec), Okaka (hamstring, 26 Dec), Mariappa (knee, Jan), Dja Djedje (foot), Kenedy (knee), Pereyra (knee, all unknown)
Suspended None
Form LWLLWL
Discipline Y39 R3
Leading scorer Capoue 5
