Here is our predicted starting line-up for Sunderland’s clash with Swansea City.
Sunderland are set to host Swansea City this weekend in their first match since Michael Beale was sacked.
The 43-year-old was sent packing days after the Black Cats were beaten by former boss Tony Mowbray’s Birmingham City.
Mike Dodds will return to the hot-seat after picking up six points from a possible nine during his brief stint as interim manager in December.
The club have been left a huge task at making up a seven-point gap between themselves and the play-off spots, and will be desperate to kick it off with a win over Swansea.
The Wearside outfit have endured back-to-back defeats against Birmingham and Huddersfield, but their record at the Stadium of Light is much better than on the road.
Sunderland have won ten of their 16 matches on home soil this season, while the Swans have only won five of their 16 games away from home.
With a couple of key players unavailable this weekend, here is our predicted starting line-up…
Sunderland predicted XI vs Swansea City
As usual, Anthony Patterson takes his place in between the sticks.
The goalkeeper has made a few big mistakes this season, but overall has been solid and has no real competition to threaten his place in the starting line-up.
Trai Hume keeps his place at right-back after arguably a man of the match performance last time out, which ended with him being snubbed by Michael Beale following his substitution.
Luke O’Nien starts his 33rd game of the Championship campaign, but will line up alongside Jenson Seelt this time round. Dan Ballard will miss out after picking up his tenth yellow card of the season against Birmingham, meaning he will serve a two-match ban.
There have been rumours that Leo Hjelde could be out this weekend, but there is yet to be any confirmation on that. We will cross our fingers and hope that he starts on the left side of defence on Saturday afternoon.
Callum Styles could be named in the match-day squad for the first time since his arrival from Barnsley, however Pierre Ekwah and Dan Neil are likely to remain in midfield from the start.
Jobe Bellingham starts just ahead of them and will hopefully thrive playing under Mike Dodds, who he has previously praised. The teenager netted the only goal of the game in Dodds’ win over Leeds.
Jack Clarke is a huge loss after reports claimed he would be sidelined with a foot injury. This means Romaine Mundle could be pushed out left after a promising first start against the Blues, while Abdoullah Ba comes back into the starting line-up on the right.
Nazariy Rusyn was unfairly dropped in Beale’s final game in charge, but will replace Mason Burstow up front.