Sunderland are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats as they travel to Millwall this weekend.
The Black Cats put on an underwhelming performance against Huddersfield Town last time out, dropping down to eleventh in the Championship.
Despite Luke O’Nien claiming a first half equaliser and Sunderland going onto dominate on home soil, poor defending cost them and allowed the Terriers to return to Yorkshire with all three points.
Sunderland are enduring some difficult form at the moment and have now lost eight of their opening 18 games in the second tier.
After already losing to the teams in 20th and 21st position, they will now be hoping to turn things around against 19th place Millwall.
The Lions have picked up one win in seven games since sacking Gary Rowett in October, while they haven’t won at home in over two months.
Tony Mowbray will most likely make some changes this weekend as he looks to impress on the road.
Here is our predicted XI…
Anthony Patterson has kept his form despite Sunderland’s recent results. The goalkeeper pulled off an excellent block against Huddersfield to keep it 0-0, though was unable to prevent defeat.
The goalkeeper will be one of the first names on the team-sheet at the minute.
Niall Huggins will return to his place on the left-side of defence after being dropped midweek, with Tony Mowbray already suggesting he will be back in the team.
This means Trai Hume can move back over to the right in his natural position, while the pair are joined by Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien in the middle.
Jobe Bellingham could finally be handed that rest Mowbray promised him after a very disappointing performance against Huddersfield. Pierre Ekwah could return to the line-up, while Adil Aouchiche will be handed another chance to impress further forward.
Jack Clarke was one of Sunderland’s only attacking sparks on Wednesday and will retain his place as he looks for his first goal since October. Meanwhile, Two terrible displays from Patrick Roberts could see him dropped for Abdoullah Ba.
Mowbray has warned that Eliezer Mayenda’s game-time will need to be managed, but I can see him still keeping his place in the starting line-up before he is replaced early in the second half.
The Spaniard showed promising signs on his debut and it would be a step back to return Mason Burstow to the fold so soon.