**Sunderland host Hull in a Carabao Cup shootout where the home side's recent form gives them a real edge.** 🔴 The Black Cats have won three of their last five, while Hull are stuck in a draw-heavy rut — perfect recipe for a cup upset at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland's attack looks sharp with **B. Brobbey** leading the line, though they're missing key midfielder H. Diarra through hamstring trouble. Hull are dealing with a longer injury list — **O. McBurnie** returns upfront but they're without five players including their keeper J. Butland, forcing K. Tzolakis into action.

Key storylines:

- **Sunderland's home fortress** hasn't cracked much lately; they'll fancy turning this into a training ground session against a depleted visitors' defence
- **Hull's injury crisis** is real — five absentees will test their depth, especially at the back where S. Ajayi and J. Egan pair up
- **Carabao Cup pedigree** favours the higher division side; Sunderland's winning mentality should show here 💪

Expected lineups:

- **Sunderland**: R. Roefs, R. Mandava, D. Ballard, L. O'Nien, N. Mukiele, E. Le Fée, G. Xhaka, N. Angulo, W. Isidor, B. Brobbey
- **Hull City**: K. Tzolakis, R. Giles, J. Egan, S. Ajayi, C. Drameh, R. Slater, L. Gourna-Douath, O. McBurnie

Prediction:

**Sunderland 2-0 Hull City.** Sunderland's form and home advantage trump Hull's makeshift lineup.