Regis Le Bris and his impressive Sunderland side take on Millwall at The Den on Saturday, in what’s panned out to be a huge test for the Frenchman.
Every game in the Championship is difficult. And that’s especially so for Sunderland who are now the favourites going into most.
The Black Cats sit in 1st place of the Championship table after an emphatic start to life under Regis Le Bris, piling the pressure on his side to perform and win every game.
Last time out however, Sunderland were held to a 2-2 draw against Coventry City in what was a hugely disappointing result going into the November international break.
The Black Cats were two goals in front at half-time but let their lead slip, eventually sharing the points and now sharing the top spot with Sheffield United who sit in 2nd place of the table on goal difference.
Millwall are in 8th after a strong run. And not only is The Den one of the trickiest away days for Championship teams, but Sunderland go into this one with a horde of players injured and suspended.
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Regis Le Bris aiming to break 29-year Sunderland curse at Millwall
Le Bris has hinted that Adil Aouchiche and Abdoullah Ba could feature for Sunderland at Millwall with the likes of Romaine Mundle sidelined for up to eight weeks, and Patrick Roberts suspended.
Jobe Bellingham and Trai Hume are also suspended, with Alan Browne another player who was injured in the last outing against Coventry City.
A Sunderland win on Saturday would be heroic given the circumstances. But history is not on the Black Cats’ side: they’ve not won at The Den since 1995 when Peter Reid was managing Sunderland.
So for Le Bris, it would be another long-standing Sunderland drought ended. Already this season, Le Bris has become the first Sunderland manager since Roy Keane to beat the likes of Luton Town and Derby County away from home.
That 2006/07 season saw Sunderland win the Championship title under Keane. And that 1995/96 season, in which Sunderland last beat Millwall at The Den, the Black Cats also went on to win the second tier title.
Sunderland’s away form this season vs Millwall’s home form
Sunderland have so far taken 14 points from eight away games this season, leaving them 2nd in the away form table behind West Brom.
Millwall meanwhile are in 5th place of the home form table having taken 16 points from eight games, behind Sunderland in 4th.
Neil Harris’ side are unbeaten in seven and have lost just one of their last 10 in the league, winning four-straight games before a draw away at Stoke City last time out.
Millwall have beaten both Burnley and Leeds United at The Den in recent fixtures.