Keith Bertschin's side go into the game at Archibalds Stadium in Durham having lost just once in their previous eight League fixtures.
In the corresponding fixture last season Blues Reserves ran out comfortable 3-1 winners courtesy of goals from Mat Birley, Marcos Painter and Carl Motteram.
Sunderland: Alnwick, Wright, Taylor, Stubbs, D. Smith, Dennehy, Woods, Leadbitter, Weir, Welsh, Graham. Subs: Backhouse, Christensen, Richardson, McFarlane, Davison.
Blues: Legzdins, Sadler, Bruce, Blake, Alsop, Wright, Howland, Aluko, McPike, Birley. Subs: James Johnson, Mark Hall, Asa Hall, Daren Campion, Jamie Price.