'Borini has been a 9/10 for Black Cats'

What has changed for Sunderland since the last time these two sides met?

Well the manager, for a start. Gus Poyet has obviously come in and changed things up a bit, in terms of both personnel (although the side probably won't look too different on that front from the one you guys beat earlier) and in terms of playing style. That said, what hasn't changed is the fact we're still not winning games, nor looking like doing so.

You're 18th with 10 games left to play... are you confident of avoiding relegation?

In a word: no. In several words: I was convinced at Christmas we were down, but then things started to turn around, which coincided with the cup run. Since the final something has been massively lacking, and it now just seems we're resigned to a slow crawl to the Championship.

What have been the positives for the Black Cats in 2013-14? What gives you confidence for a trip to Anfield?

The aforementioned cup run is pretty much *the* positive. The semi-final win over Manchester United was as heart-stopping, agonisingly tense a moment as we've had in recent memory, both torture and pure ecstasy. The Wembley weekend, even despite the result, was one of the best experiences I've had as a Sunderland supporter. As for confidence for the trip to Anfield? Erm...er...any beach balls knocking about?

How is Gus Poyet likely to set Sunderland up for Wednesday's game?

He's tended to go 4-3-3, with wingers who like to cut inside, and play a possession-based game with a couple of deeper-lying midfielders. Obviously Fabio Borini is ineligible (more on that later), so it'll be interesting to see who comes in. Elsewhere, Connor Wickham has just been recalled from his loan spell with Leeds, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him thrown straight into action given Jozy Altidore looks utterly devoid of confidence (and ability).

You were one of the first teams to suffer at the hands of SAS - Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez - this season; how would you go about trying to stop the duo this time?

Well we won't have Carlos Cuellar in the side this time around, so that's a start, and Wes Brown gives us at least a glimmer of hope. They are playing frighteningly well at the moment, though, and our defence isn't the tightest at the best of times...maybe just kick them? Probably wouldn't even get close to that.

Have you been surprised by the rapid blossoming of Jordan Henderson this year?

Yes and no. Obviously with him coming through the ranks at Sunderland his ability has always been evident, and I wrote an article back in August on his development under Brendan Rodgers. He has kicked on to another level since then, and it's fantastic to see him reaping the rewards of all the hard work and dedication he's put in, especially since it didn't start too well for him at Liverpool.

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Fabio Borini is obviously ineligible for this fixture - how much of a blow is that for Sunderland?

Massive. For the past few games he's not only looked like the one player capable of producing something, but also the one player who cares. It's becoming a familiar story for Sunderland fans that such a player is one who is only on loan, with little chance of being kept on a permanent basis (see also: Danny Rose, Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans and so on).

How has the Italian performed for your team this season? Marks out of 10?

Probably around an eight in reality, but in comparison to the rest of the team - and given the importance of the goals he has scored - I'd say a nine or a 10, especially since Gus Poyet arrived and he began to establish himself in the side. He's going to be a massive player in the run-in as we try to escape relegation, and hopefully we'll see him played more down the centre as he offers both pace and a genuine goal threat.

What's your prediction?

Normally I'd try and be blindly optimistic, hoping we can snatch a draw or such like. As it is, I can't see us scoring, nor keeping a clean sheet. I'll take our goal difference not taking an absolute hammering. 3-0.