Sunderland will want to bounce back instantly following the 5-1 humiliation at the hands of Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday. Fans will want to see a positive response after a game which interim head coach Mike Dodds described as “pathetic”. Dodds is therefore expected to name the strongest first team he can possibly do.
Last Word on Football brings you the predicted Sunderland lineup as they attempt to correct the many wrongs from Monday.
Sunderland Predicted Lineup vs Bristol City
Recent Form, Tactics and Lineups
Sunderland are in a poor run of form, to say the least. One win in nine games and a 5-1 home defeat to Blackburn last time out has fans rightly concerned. The Black Cats have had a settled formation for much of the season, unlike their starting eleven which has changed constantly due to injuries, suspensions and loss of form. A 4-2-3-1 formation is once again expected with changes to the starting lineup also expected once again.
Injuries to Consider and Possible Returns
Star man Jack Clarke who has been missing through injury returned as a second-half substitute against Blackburn and Dodds will be tempted to start him. Patrick Roberts returned to the starting lineup after also recovering from injury. The winger didn’t look match fit but with Sunderland desperate to get back to winning ways, it would be of little surprise if he featured from the start again. Youngster Chris Rigg could also start after scoring against Rovers with the Black Cats midfield looking at best poor on Monday.
Read More: Time for These Sunderland Players to be Given an Extended Run in the First Team
Experienced midfielder Corry Evans has not played a first-team game since January 2023. However, he is now close to returning from an ACL injury. A place in the starting lineup is not expected but a place on the bench may not be out of the question.
Striker Nazariy Rusyn has returned to training but Saturday may come too soon for him. Aji Alese has also returned to training but after several injury setbacks, Sunderland’s interim head coach Mike Dodds may be reluctant to include him sooner than is needed.
Definitely out are defenders Dennis Cirkin, Niall Huggins and Jenson Seelt as is midfielder Elliot Embleton.
Predicted Lineup
GK – Anthony Patterson.
RB – Trai Hume
CB – Luke O’Nien
CB – Dan Ballard
LB – Leo Hjelde
CM – Dan Neil
CM – Chris Rigg
AM – Adil Aouchiche
RW – Patrick Roberts
LW – Jack Clarke
ST – Jobe Bellingham
Substitutes – Bishop, Styles, Mundle, Ba, Hemir, Ekwah, Dack, Pembele, Evans
