By the time this game kicks off the result will already be in from Anfield and Manchester United will have a clear idea of their chances of a fourth successive league title. Chelsea have the more difficult game but Sunderland have lost only two league games at the Stadium of Light all season and Darren Bent will be eager to impress given that Fabio Capello's assistant, Franco Baldini, will be in the crowd. Baldini's main focus will be to monitor the sharpness of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, both of whom hope to return from injury. Daniel Taylor

Venue Stadium of Light, Sunday 4pm Tickets £28-£33 (0871 911 1973) Last season Sunderland 1 Man Utd 2 Referee S Bennett

This season's matches 26 Y98, R5, 3.96 cards per game

Odds Sunderland 17-2 Man Utd 2-5 Draw 19-5

Sunderland

Subs from Carson, Bardsley, Da Silva, Kilgallon, Cattermole, Zenden, Campbell, Benjani, Liddle

Doubtful Cattermole (calf)

Injured Reid, McCartney (both hamstring, Aug)

Suspended Hutton (one match)

Form guide WWLWLD

Disciplinary record Y77 R7

Leading scorer Bent 24

Manchester United

Subs from Foster, Kuszczak, Brown, Rafael, Evans, Carrick, Gibson, Fábio, Obertan, Diouf, O'Shea, Park, Hargreaves

Doubtful Ferdinand (groin), Rooney (groin)

Injured Owen (hamstring, Aug), Welbeck (knee, Aug), Anderson (knee, Sep)

Suspended None

Form guide WWDLWW Disciplinary record Y48 R4

Leading scorer Rooney 26

Match pointers

• Sir Alex Ferguson has won 10 and drawn three of 13 meetings with his former United captain Steve Bruce as an opposing coach

• Sunderland have lost one of their last 17 league games at the Stadium of Light

• Manchester United have the Premier League's best record for May, averaging 2.04 points per game

• Sunderland have won four of their 18 Premier League games in May

•Steed Malbranque has been substituted off 25 times, more than any other Premier League player this season