Regis Le Bris has a few selection calls to make ahead of Sunderland’s game against Portsmouth. But after that emphatic New Year’s Day win over Sheffield United, few changes seem necessary, if any changes at all.
Sunderland go into their home game against Portsmouth on Sunday in high spirits, after their New Year’s Day win over Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats put on a real show for their fans. Goals came from Eliezer Mayenda who shone against the Blades and Wilson Isidor too, in what was a really energetic and rounded team performance for Sunderland.
Regis Le Bris’ side remain in 4th place of the Championship table but are now just two points outside the top two going into the next round of fixtures. Portsmouth meanwhile are all the way down in 21st.
But John Mousinho’s side also started 2025 with a bang, beating Swansea City 4-0 at Fratton park, with two wins in their last four: both wins saw Pompey score four goals.
Dan Ballard and Chris Rigg injury updates shared
For Sunderland, there’s two worrying injury concerns right now in Dan Ballard and Chris Rigg. Ballard has missed the last three and Rigg the last two.
Speaking to the press on Friday afternoon, Le Bris revealed that Ballard and Rigg will miss the Portsmouth game. Ballard is nursing a muscle injury and Le Bris is throwing caution to his return, whilst Rigg is tipped to return for Sunderland’s FA Cup clash against Stoke City on January 11th.
Salis Abdul Samed remains on the comeback trail, as do the likes of Alan Browne, Tommy Watson, Romaine Mundle, Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins.
Sunderland predicted lineup vs Portsmouth
With no Rigg, Le Bris could afford to maintain the 4-4-2 formation that served his Sunderland side so well against Sheffield United last time out.
And given what was such a solid performance, we might not see any changes at all. One headache for Le Bris though is what to do at at left-back.
Dennis Cirkin was dropped for Aji Alese against the Blades. Cirkin’s recent form at Sunderland has been questioned with the former Spurs man struggling since his wrist injury.
But Sunderland are a better team when he’s on form and so Le Bris certainly has a tough call to make there.
Luke O’Nien had a nightmare against Sheffield United but with Ballard still sidelined, he’ll no doubt keep his spot in the XI. So too will Adil Aouchiche given the injuries to Watson and Mundle.
Here’s how we think Sunderland will lineup against Portsmouth on Sunday…
Patterson (GK)
Alese
O’Nien
Mepham
Hume
Aouchiche
Bellingham
Neil
Roberts
Isidor
Mayenda