Premier League preview: Blackpool v Sunderland

Two of the surprise movers of the Premier League season face off on Saturday when Blackpool host Sunderland at Bloomfield Road.

But the Black Cats will have to make do without leading goal-scorer Darren Bent, who completed a shock move to Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Sunderland have enjoyed an unbeaten start to January with wins over Blackburn (3-0) and Aston Villa (1-0) and a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United last Saturday.

The impressive run has seen Steve Bruce’s men carve out a seat at sixth on the table, with Bolton four points adrift in seventh and fifth-placed Tottenham three points ahead.

Blackpool, meanwhile, continue to confound pre-season expectations of an early trip back to the Championship.

The Tangerines are 10th on the table with 28 points, despite a torrid start to the New Year with three losses from four games.

Most recently, Ian Holloway’s men went down 3-2 at West Bromwich Albion, conceding a heartbreaking late winner to Peter Odemwingie after Gary Taylor-Fletcher brought the visitors level in the 80th minute.

But there is still plenty for Blackpool for be positive about, not the least that they defeated Sunderland 2-0 in their away fixture last month.

DJ Campbell was the hero in that meeting with a match-winning brace, and the former Leicester City striker has been among Blackpool’s best in January with goals against Liverpool and Birmingham City.

Sunderland carry one of the longest injury lists in the league, with Danny Welbeck (hamstring), David Meyler (knee), Lee Cattermole (back), John Mensah (ankle), Frazier Campbell (knee) and Michael Turner (knee) all on the sidelines.

Add to that Bent’s defection and Bruce certainly has a number of headaches at the selection table.

Blackpool have their share of injury concerns, with Marlon Harewood (hamstring), Matthew Gilks (knee), Billy Clarke (knee), Malaury Martin (knee) and Chris Basham (broken leg) all unavailable.

Saturday’s encounter could be a swan song for Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam, who has been linked to Liverpool, Aston Villa and Birmingham City in the January transfer window.