Once again this week I back Sunderland despite they disappointing me against Burnley in the Premier League this week.

Sunderland head into manager Steve Bruce's former team Birmingham City looking in search of a win to qualify in the next round of the Carling Cup. Steve knows a lot about Birmingham as well as how the players have been playing, which would give him an advantage in this fixture.

In addition Steve Bruce needs to recover his team after that poor performance in mid-week cost them atleast 1 point from that game.

Birmingham have a number of players on the doctors table including: Sebastian Larsson (hamstring), Carr (Thigh), James McFadden (thigh), Cameron Jerome (ankle), Franck Queudrue, Gregory Vignal, Marcus Bent (all hamstring), Martin Taylor (ankle), Lee Carsley (back), Damien Johnson (strain) and David Murphy (knee) all remain unavailable.

Sunderland will need to perform well and grab some confidence ahead of Wolves trip to the Stadium of Light, and expect them to get the win in this fixture.