One of Sunderland’s upcoming opponents has been hit with a major striker availability issue.
Sunderland will be hoping to continue their brilliant start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign following the international break.
There will be plenty of reliance on Sunderland’s midfield continuing their fine displays, with Chris Rigg especially becoming a top performer for Regis Le Bris’ side.
Jobe Bellingham has also been on top form for the Black Cats as they managed to wheedle through a difficult opening run of fixtures, with them getting seven points combined from clashes against Leeds United, Burnley and Middlesbrough.
Sunderland’s upcoming fixtures following the international break look much more favourable as the Black Cats continue their early yet hopeful pursuit for promotion, and one of the games look set to have been made much easier for Le Bris’ side as they will be without two of their key strikers.
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Preston North End hit with striker blow ahead of Sunderland clash
One of Sunderland’s upcoming games in the Championship sees them make the trip to Deepdale to visit Preston North End, where they will be hoping to rectify what has been a fairly average run of form away from home for Sunderland so far this season.
Le Bris’ first competitive defeat fell to Preston, who undone his side in the EFL Cup, however it will likely be a different outcome on the 6th November as the Black Cats will be without striker Will Keane, who faces up to eight weeks sidelined due to injury, per Alan Nixon on Patreon.
Matters are made worse for the eight game ban being served by Milutin Osmajic for biting against Blackburn Rovers.
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Sunderland must make most of next five fixtures
There is no doubt that the trip to Preston looks likely to be an easy three points for Sunderland, who should capitalise on the opposition’s lacking attacking options, especially when they have managed just seven goals in the league in nine appearances when at full strength.
Prior to the Preston clash, Sunderland have the likes of Oxford United and QPR, both of which should be a guaranteed three points if Le Bris’ side are going to show clear ambition in finishing the 2024/25 Championship campaign in the higher echelons of the table.
Before that, they will face a trip to Hull City, as well as an out-of-form Luton Town. They will need to continue their solid form and keep their confidence at a high level in order to see off the sides in what should be a favourable run of games, and if Sunderland can get through that, they can really be considered as genuine title contenders this season.