Sunderland will be looking to get back to winning ways when they return to Championship action this weekend at Portman Road.
The Black Cats take on an Ipswich Town side that has defied early expectations following their promotion from League One last season.
Kieran McKenna's side currently occupy second place in the Championship, the final automatic promotion place, with a three point gap to Southampton in second place.
The newly promoted side have been on the tails of Enzo Maresca's Leicester City, but their form has dipped in recent weeks, allowing the Foxes to move ten points clear at the summit.
The Tractorboys have not won in their last five Championship fixtures, drawing four of their last five, losing 4-0 to Leeds United in the other game.
It presents Michael Beale and his side with a perfect opportunity to show their own promotion credentials, having beaten West Brom, Leeds United and Hull City in recent weeks.
The Wearsiders, who're currently three games unbeaten in the second tier, will be keen to put any derby disappointment to one side.
Ipswich have lost just once at home all season and have already beaten Sunderland following their 2-1 success at the Stadium of Light on the opening weekend.
Beale will continue to be without winger Patrick Roberts for the trip to Portman Road whilst the club provided an update on Dennis Cirkin's setback earlier in the week. In his pre-match press conference, Beale praised defensive duo Jenson Seelt and Nectarios Triantis, with a possible change in shape not out of the question.
Sunderland moved to a back three last month for their win over Leeds and that could be something Beale may consider this weekend.
"In terms of the Championship, we've won four of the last seven and we're unbeaten in three going into the game. It's a big game for us," the Sunderland head coach said.
"That's quickly followed up by a big game against Hull. These teams around us, they're worth a little bit more than the three points because it's a knock on to the other teams position as well.
"It's a long month. We've got another three games before the end of the window so if we were to pick up another injury then for sure [we'd look to the market], but at the same time with young Jenson and Nectar [Triantis], we've got the option to go to a back three as well.
"I've been absolutely delighted with Jenson and Nectar since I came in, they've been two big surprises for me."
We Are Sunderland have taken a punt at guessing Michael Beale's Sunderland starting XI for the trip to Ipswich Town this weekend.
Joe Ramage
Sunderland couldn't ask for a much tougher fixture to try and get over their first defeat to Newcastle in over a decade. The Black Cats were second best throughout their FA Cup tie with the Magpies - something which will still be raw for supporters.
Head coach Beale must now lift his players for a trip to second-placed Ipswich as they look to continue their play-off charge in the Championship. But that won't come easy. The Tractor Boys have the third best home record in the division, having lost just once, and have also scored the most goals at home, along with Plymouth Argyle, with 33.
Sunderland's recent form in the blue half of East Anglia does not make for particularly encouraging reading having won just two of their last 10 visits to Portman Road dating back to 2000 - although they are unbeaten in their two most recent trips.
Although difficult, putting the Newcastle game to one side then Beale has made a reasonable start to life on Wearside - the New Year's Day win over Preston North End an example of things moving more in the right direction. With that in mind, it is hard to deviate too much from the side who won that day to start 2024.
Aji Alese's return from injury was a timely boost, particularly with the injuries to both Cirkin and Niall Huggins. But it was Beale's hint at a back three which makes this one interesting. We saw how successful Sunderland were against Leeds at the Stadium of Light last month when interim boss Mike Dodds reverted to a back three and it may be something we see here.
Beale was keen to heap praise on both Seelt and Triantis, the two likely candidates for a third centre-back role, with Beale's preference to keep Trai Hume back in his more natural right-back position. Seelt impressed against Hull City on Boxing Day, as he did in that win over Leeds, and the Dutchman could be set to return to the starting line-up here.
Of course, a back three would mean the removal of one of Sunderland's attacking outlets further up the field - Jobe Bellingham, perhaps, a likely candidate after his struggles in the Wear-Tyne derby last week and the sheer volume of games he has played.
Alex Pritchard's form, in that sense, is another welcome boost. The midfielder has operated in something of a hybrid role on the right of Sunderland's advanced midfielders in recent weeks and he may occupy that spot again with Nazariy Rusyn likely to continue leading the line.
Matty Hewitt
Despite the disappointment in the derby last weekend, it would be a surprise to see Beale spring any surprises in terms of team selection.
The Black Cats have looked decent enough over the course of their current unbeaten run, the first-half in particular against Preston an impressive outing.
Nazariy Rusyn scored his first goal in a red and white shirt while Alex Pritchard got his first goal of the season against the Lilywhites, both should retain their places in the starting XI.
The only area Beale could rotate would be the heart of midfield. Dan Neil, Pierre Ekwah and Jobe Bellingham have been mainstays in Sunderland's starting XI over the festive period and resting one of the trio could be a consideration.
However, given the opportunity to take points off a promotion rival, you'd expect Beale to keep the same midfield three.
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The lack of options and recent injury woes in defence means it's like Trai Hume, Luke O'Nien, Dan Ballard and Aji Alese will keep their places in the back four - Anthony Patterson will start between the sticks.
Abdoullah Ba and Adil Aouchiche remain options from the bench should Beale wish to change things up, while Mason Burstow, Luis Hemir Semedo and Eliezer Mayenda will also provide alternatives up front.
A win for the Wearsiders this weekend could lift them up to fifth in the table, if West Brom lose at home to Blackburn Rovers.
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