Wolverhampton Wanderers

Mick McCarthy maintains that his Wolves side are not far short of ensnaring their much-needed prey – three points – but four successive defeats, after a stirring 2-1 victory over Manchester City, suggest that they could go hungry a while longer. Sunderland, McCarthy's former club, could provide easy pickings at the back, with Michael Turner and Titus Bramble, their central defenders, ruled out until the New Year. Still, Sunderland are unbeaten in four games, including the seismic 3-0 thumping of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago. Russell Kempson

Venue Molineux, Saturday 3pm

Tickets £20-30 (0871 222 1877)

Last season Wolves 2 Sunderland 1

Referee Mike Jones

This season's matches 10 Y34, R1, 3.50 cards per game

Odds Wolves 13-8 Sunderland 15-8 Draw 12-5

WolvesSubs from Hennessey, Foley, Fletcher, Ward, Van Damme, Ebanks-Blake, Bent, Mujangi Bia

Doubtful Fletcher (illness), Foley (knee), Mouyokolo (back)

Injured Craddock (thigh, 4 Dec), Edwards (thigh, 4 Dec), Henry (knee, Jan), Guédioura (broken leg, Feb), Kightly (knee, unknown)

Suspended Berra (one match)

Form guide LLLLWL

Disciplinary record Y28 R2

Leading scorers Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher 3

SunderlandSubs from Mignolet, Angeleri, Adams, Da Silva, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Riveros, Zenden, Liddle, Noble

Doubtful Gyan (thigh), Mensah (shoulder)

Injured Meyler (knee, 28 Dec), Bramble (knee, Jan), Turner (knee, Feb), Campbell (knee, Mar)

Suspended None

Form guide DWDWLW

Disciplinary record Y23 R3

Leading scorer Bent 6

Match pointers• There were three penalties, two own goals and two red cards in the two Premier League meetings between these sides last season

• 68% of the players named in Sunderland's starting line-ups this season have been English, the highest proportion in the top flight

• Wolves have not kept a clean sheet in the league since a 0-0 draw with Fulham back in April

• Nedum Onuoha is the only non-striker to have scored for Sunderland so far in 2010-11

• Wolves have won fewer tackles (172) than any other side in the division