Hmmm.

Sunderland have their longest spell of possession but they can't really get into a decent position and the ball eventually gets passed out for a goalkick.

Five goals in their past seven league and cup games for the Black Cats.

Better now.

Both teams, especially the away side, have just upped the tempo the past few minutes.

Hull look to work a quick attack but Ozan Tufan's ball in behind for Lewie Coyle just has a little too much weight on it.

Image source, Rex Features

Hull skipper Lewie Coyle is booked for a forearm into the face of Sunderland striker Nazariy Rusyn.

The ref allowed play to go on but Dan Neil's cross was comfortably dealt with by the Tigers defence.

That's three of the away side on bookings now.

I said earlier Greg Docherty wouldn't be so lucky the next time he made a foul.

Anyway, he makes another foul and the Hull man is booked.

CHANCE!

Hull do really well to keep the ball for a long period and then win it back when Sunderland get a foot in.

It's moved forward quickly to Ozan Tufan and he pops off a neat pass to Lewie Coyle.

Not his natural environment to be fair and his low shot is easily saved by Anthony Patterson.

Just the one shot of any nature in the opening 26 minutes, Alex Pritchard's tame effort from 20 yards that was straight at Hull keeper Ryan Allsop.

Both teams are looking to get the ball down and play but a combination of sloppy passes and active pressing has stopped anyone from getting very far.

I'm going to be generous and say this game hasn't quite got going yet.

Image source, Rex Features

Both of these teams have shortages in the striker department at the moment.

The home side have given a start to Nazariy Rusyn through the middle but they're struggling to get him in the game at all.

Almost 20 minutes in and he's touched the ball twice so far.

Urgh.

Ozan Tufan gets himself a very silly booking for stopping Sunderland taking a free-kick promptly.

Not needed from the Hull forward.

Peter Swan
Former Hull City player on BBC Radio Humberside

Jack Clarke is like a 'Jack Grealish' sort of player. Hull just had four players around him, they know the danger he possesses.

Image source, Rex Features

Another opening for the home side that Alex Pritchard can't capitalise on.

The midfielder picks the ball up on the turn in ACRES of space about 40 yards out.

He drives forward but his shot is tame and straight at Ryan Allsop in the Tigers goal.

Greg Docherty kicks Jack Clarke on the halfway line but escapes a card.

The Hull player won't be so lucky with his next one you'd imagine.

Sunderland winger Jack Clarke has 13 goals for the season and he's in great form just now.

A corner drops to him out wide on the left and he knocks it around Greg Docherty one way and runs round the other to get it.

His cross is cut out but Hull will have to be on their mettle to deal with him tonight.

Kieron Brady
Former Sunderland winger on BBC Radio Newcastle

All-in-all it's been a good start from Sunderland, they have taken the initiative. Long may it continue.

Image source, Rex Features

A waste from the home side.

Tigers defender Alfie Jones passes the ball straight to Alex Pritchard 25 yards out from goal as the away side try and pass out from a goal kick.

Pritchard rather hurries his cross to the back stick and overhits it.

The away side just look to build up a bit of rhythm by building out from the back after a scrappy opening five minutes or so.

It's five defeats in their past seven for the Tigers.

Hull City are playing without a recognised striker today, with Turkey international forward Ozan Tufan playing through the middle.

On-loan Liverpool winger Fabio Carvalho looks to be playing just off him.

We're off and running at the Stadium of Light.

Hull City looking for a first win in 10 against Sunderland and a first victory this year in all competitions.

Sunderland seeking to bounce back from last week's 2-1 loss at Ipswich and return to the top six.

Image source, Rex Features

It's just over three weeks since these pair last met at the MKM Stadium on Boxing Day.

A fairly uneventful match looked to be destined for a goalless draw before Black Cats talisman Jack Clarke popped up with an 82nd minute winner.

Clarke also scored in this fixture last season, which was also played on a Friday night and finished 4-4...

Got to say I wouldn't personally be against that happening again tonight.

We should have had a game in League Two this evening as well but Salford's home game against Colchester has fallen foul of the cold snap that's hit the UK in the past week.

Despite the slightly improving conditions, a host of games have already been called off for tomorrow and there are pitch inspections planned elsewhere.

Here is a list of games that had been scheduled for Saturday that are definitely OFF:

League One

Cheltenham v Carlisle

Port Vale v Wycombe

League Two

AFC Wimbledon v Crawley

Bradford v Doncaster

Mansfield v Sutton

Swindon v Tranmere

National League

Barnet v Chesterfield

Halifax v Maidenhead

Rochdale v Wealdstone

Solihull Moors v Dagenham

Woking v Oxford City