The FA Cup action returns this weekend with Sunderland’s visit to Craven Cottage.
Both clubs have enjoyed a successful first season following promotion which has included progression to the fourth round of the famous cup competition.
Neither side faced too much trouble in the third round.
The Black Cats eased past Shrewsbury Town with a late comeback victory, and Fulham earned a 2-0 win over Hull City.
Chris Sutton has predicted an even more comfortable affair for Marco Silva’s side this time around, claiming the Cottagers will win 3-0 on Saturday.
Tony Mowbray’s side will be hoping to earn a fifth round berth with an upset away win, but the former forward hasn’t given the Championship side much of a chance against the 7th place Premier League side.
“This tie takes Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts back to the club where he began his career,” wrote Sutton, via the BBC.
“Along with in-form Black Cats striker Ross Stewart, he will be a handful, but I still fancy Fulham to progress.
“Marco Silva's side have lost their past two Premier League games but they are having a very good season.
“They always have a go at teams, and they will be up for this.”
Sunderland’s form going into Saturday’s clash has brought the team to 9th in the table, just one point away from the play-off places in their first campaign back in the second tier.
But Fulham are competing for the European places with Silva hoping to become the man to cement the club back in the top flight after a few years yo-yoing between the top two tiers.
The Verdict
Saturday’s game will be played by two teams enjoying a solid rise up the English pyramid this season.
Given Fulham’s relative safety in the Premier League, it would be worthwhile putting everything into this tie in order to provide the fans a fun cup run.
With the number of big clubs experiencing a down year, it could even be a good opportunity for an unusual winner of the competition, which Fulham could position themselves as with a win in this game.
But Sunderland are in solid form and have become difficult to beat, so this may not be as straightforward as Sutton has predicted.