Sunderland bounced back to form on Friday night as they dispatched a troubled Sheffield Wednesday side 3-0.
The Black Cats were ruthless in the first half against Wednesday scoring three early on, as the crowd at Hillsborough became restless.
The win for Sunderland moved them up to fourth in the table, staking an early claim to once again reach the playoffs this season.
Just nine games in, Tony Mowbray won’t be getting carried away just yet, but the signs are there.
With matches piling up, Sunderland will face another struggling side on Wednesday with Watford making the trip up north to the Stadium of Light.
Here we have predicted the starting XI that Tony Mowbray may go with…
Sunderland predicted XI
Despite fixtures coming thick and fast, Mowbray will likely continue to play his full strength team as he looks to guarantee playoffs.
Also with the international break coming next week, that will give his players some rest-bite.
In goal therefore Anthony Patterson will continue as he continues his development into one of the league’s best.
In defence the ever present Trai Hume should start at right-back, with Niall Huggins on the left in place of the injured Dennis Cirkin.
Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien should then complete the back-four.
Dan Neil is a mainstay in midfield, and we think he will be partnered with Pierre Ekwah here.
Patrick Roberts will be looking for his first goal contribution of the season at right-wing, while Jack Clarke continues on the left after his brace v Wednesday which makes it seven in nine.
In the number 10 position, Jobe Bellingham will start as he continues to improve every week.
Up top, Mason Burstow is another who will be looking for his first goal of the season, with positive signs coming last time out.
Sunderland predicted XI: Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Huggins; Neil, Ekwah; Roberts, Bellingham, Clarke; Burstow.