Predicted Sunderland Line-up To Face Birmingham City In EFL Championship

Sunderland have scored 7 points from an available 12 now and have another very winnable game at home to Birmingham. A win here for the improving Black Cats could be massive and will leave the Blues in a very vulnerable position indeed.

It was fully expected that Sunderland would get better after the departure of Simon Grayson, however, their results are nothing to get too excited about. So the players will need to keep their feet on the ground ahead of what could be a tricky match against a side equally desperate for points.

Sunderland will be without Paddy McNair, Jack Rodwell, Billy Jones, Bryan Oviedo and Lamine Kone while Duncan Watmore (knee) and Jonny Williams (shoulder) are both long-term injury victims.

Its likely Chris Coleman will want to stick with the same team and the same 3-5-2 formation which worked so well against Fulham.

Formation: 3-5-2

Manager: Chris Coleman

GK – Robbin Ruiter

Last summer’s free signing is getting a proper run in the side now and rightly so.

CB – Tyias Browning

The young defender has found himself in a tumultuous sort of environment but is finding his feet in the Sunderland side now.

CB – John O’Shea

One of a number of regressing players at this club, but has the experience to help Coleman lift them out of this position.

CB – Marc Wilson

Played on this side last time out against Fulham and will most likely be asked to perform a similar function against the Blues.

RWB – Donald Love

The Scot got some good reviews at times in the Premier League and his club may still have high hopes for him. The wing-back role would suit him well.

LWB – Adam Matthews

Not his best role, but he may be asked to carry on at left wing-back.

RCM – Lynden Gooch

The American was withdrawn three-quarters of the way through the Fulham game but may be chosen once more, to start here.

CM – Darron Gibson

Like O’Shea, he has slipped down the football ranks quite quickly but once again, he has enough experience and nous to be able to help Sunderland improve.

LCM – George Honeyman

Started the season well on the other side of the field but seems versatile enough and may start on the left-hand side of a midfield three.

ST – James Vaughan

He could once again be allowed to strike up a partnership with the vital Lewis Grabban and could be very important in supporting the main man here in what is a crucial match.

ST – Lewis Grabban

May or may not be recalled by Bournemouth in order for them to sell him but for now, he is Sunderland’s main man and their chief source of goals.