Sunderland will face Stoke this weekend away from home, in a game which is a must-win for Tony Mowbray, here is our predicted XI.
Sunderland will be looking to bounce back this weekend, after a 4-0 defeat against Middlesbrough in the last Championship game.
It comes as a game many will expect them to win, however, they will need to do so without key defender Dan Ballard who is due to miss the game via injury.
Sunderland would see a win move them as high as third potentially depending on results elsewhere.
Which is why we see Tony Mowbray fielding a strong team in his predicted XI…
Sunderland predicted XI v Stoke
With this game being a must-win, Anthony Patterson should continue in goal for the Black Cats.
Right-back should see Trai Hume continue following his man-of-the-match performance earlier this week for Northern Ireland on international duty.
At left-back, this game likely comes too soon for a returning Dennis Cirkin, so Niall Huggins seems the likely option.
In centre defence, Luke O’Nien will start with his partner still yet to be determined. It is thought Mowbray has three options to replace Ballard, we think it will be Jenson Seelt who fills the gap.
We think a system change away from the 4-4-2 deployed against Middlesbrough is needed, so a return to the 4-1-4-1 which gave Sunderland so much success.
This would then see Pierre Ekwah need to be fit as the only logical replacement for the suspended Dan Neil in the deep-lying midfield role.
Ahead of him, we expect Patrick Roberts and Jobe Bellingham to play as 8/10 hybrids.
On either flank Abdoullah Ba and the incredible Jack Clarke should continue, being two of Sunderland’s best this season.
Up front, Mason Burstow is who we would like to see starting, he needs to improve but it is clear he is getting more comfortable with every game he plays.
Sunderland predicted XI: Patterson; Hume, Seelt, O’Nien, Huggins; Ekwah; Ba, Roberts, Bellingham, Clarke; Burstow.