Starting XI: Sunderland vs Bournemouth – 3 changes predicted!

Last weekend’s poor performance will have caused Regis Le Bris to pause for thought as he stuck with the five at the back that had worked against Chelsea and Arsenal for the game at Craven Cottage. The more defensive shape stifled us in our home game against Everton, and it’d be a surprise if we kept the same shape today.

So, it’s likely we’ll revert to our tried and tested formation that Le Bris has deployed for much of his time here – and that naturally raises a few selection dilemmas. Here’s how we think Sunderland might line up today.

Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs

Roefs had a decent game at Fulham and will be looking for another clean sheet today.

Defence: Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Reinildo

Trai Hume was slow closing down Fulham in the lead up to their winner last weekend, and I think he’ll be on the bench today. Ultimately, this is a process of elimination. We need to go to a back four; Reinildo is a certainty at left back, as is Dan Ballard at centre back. I think Alderete has to come back in to provide the balance his left foot gives us, which means it’s a choice between Geertruida, Hume and Mukiele at right back – and I think Mukiele wins that one comfortably.

Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee

Our attacking threat from out wide has dominated conversation a lot this week, and I think we’ll see a change here – meaning Le Fee coming centrally to play with Xhaka and Sadiki. While Le Fee does well on the left, I’d like to see him get on the ball a bit more – he can add an awful lot with his creativity which perhaps Xhaka and Sadiki don’t do as well.

Forwards: Bertrand Traore, Brian Brobbey, Simon Adingra

I think we’ll see some changes up front today, and the first of those could be Brian Brobbey coming in for Isidor to play through the middle. I think it’s high time Brobbey got a start, and this could be a good game to bring him. Traore should keep his place after impressing at Fulham, and if Le Fee moves into the centre it’s a choice between Isidor, Talbi and Adingra for the left wing berth. I’ve got a feeling Le Bris will give Adingra a run there today – hopefully he’s chomping at the bit to win his placed back!