That festive cracker will bring a full house to the Stadium of Light and any points return will send the Wearside faithful home happy.

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But depriving Reading of points tomorrow could be even more valuable.

Steve Coppell's Royals have looked capable lately of producing the consistency that made their first season in the top flight such a success last year.

Their home form has been fairly strong, as victory over Liverpool illustrates, but in terms of genuine Premier League experience, they – like most of the Sunderland side – are still rookies.

Roy Keane has opted for a 4-5-1 formation in some away games, but will need a greater attacking threat against a club likely to accompany Sunderland in the lower reaches of the league this season.

The search for a productive partner for Kenwyne Jones continues and that is an area that really has not gelled yet.

It will be interesting to see if Keane opts for Andy Cole alongside Jones. With his years of experience as a front man, he should have the nous when it comes to reading his team-mate and getting in the right areas to feed off his flicks – in the air and on the ground.

I wonder if Keane will be considering Greg Halford against the club that gave him only six months to make his mark at the Madejski. He may feel he has a point to prove – to Sunderland and the Royals.
Prediction: Score draw

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