Sunderland Predicted Lineup: Will Le Bris Stick with Last Week's Team?
Regis Le Bris takes charge at the Stadium of Light for the first time, facing Sheffield Wednesday, ironically the last opponents to grace the home turf.
His selection against Cardiff City saw the team deliver a mixed bag, showing flashes of brilliance while leaving room for improvement. Today's fixture demands a step up, facing a Wednesday side expected to be a top-third contender.
While few performances at Preston warranted a starting spot this week, the early withdrawal of Chris Rigg on Tuesday raises concerns about an injury to a midfielder. The team sheet, due at 11am, might reveal a late change in midfield.
Assuming no new injury concerns, here's a potential starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson
Patterson appears to have added muscle in pre-season, showcasing the experience of a seasoned Championship shot-stopper. He has clearly honed his distribution, displaying impressive accuracy on Saturday, save for a couple of instances. While he had a relatively quiet weekend, expect a busier day against Wednesday.
Defence: Trai Hume, Luke O'Nien, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin
The back four remains unchanged, with hopes that Dennis Cirkin can maintain his growing form and fitness. His performance last weekend was exceptional, forging a strong partnership with Jack Clarke. O'Nien and Alese will anchor the centre, and with Ballard sidelined, Alese has the chance to establish himself in the role. Hume holds his usual position at right-back.
Midfield: Dan Neil, Alan Browne, Jobe
The midfield trio from the Cardiff match is expected to start, assuming no injury issues, which the early substitution of Chris Rigg on Tuesday might suggest. With everyone fit, Alan Browne is expected to become a key figure in Sunderland's gameplay this season. Jobe enjoyed one of his strongest performances for the club last weekend, while Dan Neil, although not outstanding against Cardiff, had a solid outing and will need to raise his game today.
Attack: Patrick Roberts, Eliezer Mayenda, Jack Clarke
The front line remains the same, with Eliezer Mayenda eager to find the back of the net. He should have scored last weekend, and a goal today seems likely. On the wings, Roberts and Clarke will spearhead the attack, with Ian Poveda potentially available from the bench against his former club.
The match promises an exciting encounter, with Sunderland aiming to build on their positive start to the season. Le Bris's first home game in charge provides a chance for the Black Cats to showcase their potential and cement their position as a force in the Championship.
