Sunderland playing really good since Martin O'Neill took over, but due to their bad start of this Premiership season, they're not in a position to compete for the top spots. So they should at least utilize this good momentum to achieve some results in the FA Cup. First match on Stadium of Light ended 1-1, so for SAFC to advance, they need to win, or at least manage a 2-2 draw. But knowing Sunderland tactics, we really shouldn't expect a high scoring match. Both teams have injury problems. Middlesbrough mostly troubled in attack: influential Dutch international Marvin Emnes injured in the last game, midfielder Nicky Bailey remains sidelined, along with Australian forward Scott MCDonald, and single goalscorer of the last match, Barry Robson. On the other side, Sunderland with some absences in defense, with Wes Brown injured, and loan signings Wayne Bridge and Kyrgiakos not registered to play in FA Cup. Niklas Bendtner still out after getting his nose broken in match against Swansea. Still, with Middlesbrough's limited attacking options, i guess they will choose a more defensive approach, and Sunderland being more experienced and better organized has better chances to capitalize from that type of game. I expect them to put accent on defense and rely on players like Sessegnon to find holes in Middlesbrough's defense.

I don't know what to say about Middlesbrough, they looked to me as a defensive team, a team that earned this current playoff spot thanks to playing solid defense. But lately they started conceding a lot more goals, so i guess there's some kind of problem. Both teams have tough matches on Saturday, Sunderland home against Arsenal, Middlesbrough away at always dangerous team of Ipswich, but Sunderland playing great at the moment, they have a great coach, im sure that he has a solution of winning this with minimum effort.