Preview: Cheltenham Town vs. Sunderland - prediction, team news, lineups

Cheltenham Town will be searching for their first victory since November on Tuesday when they host Sunderland, who currently sit inside the playoffs, but find themselves without a manager.

The Black Cats have been one of the stronger teams in League One this season, but they come into this game in poor form after winning just once in their previous six matches.

Match preview

© Reuters

Cheltenham Town are without a win in League One since November, having gone 12 matches in a row without earning three points, which is something they will be looking to change.

They have been the draw specialists this season, having shared the points 12 times already, which is more than any other team in the division, but that is why they find themselves in the bottom half of the table.

Michael Duff's team drew their previous two outings, with a brace from Alfie May within the space of four minutes helping them to earn the result against Wimbledon last week.

However, with only four points between them and the relegation zone, the pressure is on the club to deliver some results in order to push themselves away from that situation.

Cheltenham will need a much-improved performance on Tuesday from when they previously faced Sunderland, as Duff's men suffered a 5-0 defeat on that occasion.

© Reuters

However, it was the Black Cats who were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat recently after their 6-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers, and they were not able to respond to that last Tuesday.

Sunderland were beaten again on their most recent outing with two first-half goals from Doncaster Rovers proving to be too much for them, with an 89th-minute finish from Corry Evans not meaning much.

The club are currently without a manager after Lee Johnson was fired, and a replacement has yet to be announced, although there has been speculation about Roy Keane returning to take on the role.

However, it is up to the players themselves to fix the situation on the pitch, especially after just one victory in their six previous performances, which has caused them to slip down the table.

Sunderland are currently fourth-placed in League One, but a victory could take them into second place and back to the automatic places, which they will be hoping to achieve.

Team News

© Reuters

May will be hoping to retain his place in the Cheltenham starting XI after his goals in their previous performance, and he could be joined by Kion Etete once again.

Dan Nlundulu missed out in the recent 2-2 draw due to injury, and it is expected that he could be unavailable once again, with Duff only having five substitutes recently.

After appearing from the bench, Jermain Defoe could be pushing to be used from the first whistle on Tuesday, bringing his experience to the club in an attempt to fire them back to winning ways.

While a new manager could arrive before the game and bring their own plans in terms of formation, if that does not take place then the Black Cats will likely stick with their 4-2-3-1 here.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Evans; Raglan, Pollock, Boyle; Hutchinson, Wright, Bonds, Sercombe, Blair; Etete, May

Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Hoffmann; Winchester, Batth, Doyle, Cirkin; Evans, Neil; Gooch, Embleton, Pritchard; Defoe

We say: Cheltenham Town 1-2 Sunderland

Cheltenham Town will have some hope heading into this match due to the poor form that their opponents have been in recently, which they will be hoping to take advantage of.

However, even though Sunderland have been struggling, they should still have enough quality within the squad to take all three points and put pressure on those above them in the league.

Previews by email