Sunderland vs Oxford United Prediction: Sunderland are table toppers

Sunderland will welcome Oxford United at Stadium of Light in Game Week 12 of the English Championship. Sunderland will be looking to keep the top of the table place intact. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Sunderland fans would credit their team with being good enough to pull clear in the Championship. However, with eight wins in 11 matches, the Black Cats seem to revel in becoming underdogs, having scored the most goals in the league too. While they've managed only three goals to date, far from home against Hull City and Luton Town, those three have been enough to win two additional games away for Regis Le Bris' men. Sunderland sits three points ahead of Burnley at second place and eight clear of Norwich City at seventh in which they try to establish a foothold within the playoff race. As Sunderland head into the next game, they have conceded two goals in five games at the Stadium of Light since those arrived in the 2-2 draw with Leeds United.

Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Browne, Neil, Bellingham; Rigg, Isidor, Mundle

A win for Oxford United will send them closer to their target, whereas one loss will indeed push the side into relegation danger. According to the manager, Des Buckingham, avoiding defeat is the way forward going forward and one result that helped the team evade relegation. Though he may not have anticipated the five consecutive draws his team has come to collect since September 28, which has still helped them remain in the top half of the table. Oxford has been doing very well with six unbeaten home matches at the Kassam Stadium, but it can also gain from away encounters in draws at Luton Town and Portsmouth in recent matches. Oxford United have had draws at home with West Bromwich Albion and Derby County since the international break.

Cumming; Kioso, Moore, Nelson, Brown; Vaulks; Goodrham, Rodrigues, Mizouni, Dembele; Scarlett

If De Bris is not planning to shuffle his pack for the third game in a week, he could well play the same XI at Sunderland. Patrick Roberts and Adil Aouchiche may be included in the mix for playing, while Aaron Connolly, who was carrying a knock in the last game, is likely to play from the bench. Siriki Dembele may miss the match owing to an ankle injury. Owen Dale might get preferential treatment ahead of him. Josh McEachran, Louie Sibley, and Mark Harris will be vying for berths in midfield and the front line. Both teams have their probable starting lineups listed, but when you consider the form of Oxford, this match may turn out to be a close encounter for the Black Cats, if their quality in the final third continues.