Predicted Sunderland Line-up To Face Reading In The EFL Championship
Sunderland face Reading this weekend and they currently lie 6 points from safety with 4 games left to play. This game and their game against Burton will have to be won if they are to have any chance of catching Bolton in 21st place.
After that, the Black Cats face the top-two, Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers. So even if they have a successful result against their rivals, they will have to get something out of those two tough games to guarantee their place in the Championship next season.
Their task is made harder by the fact that Reading have improved under Paul Clement and a game that looked winnable just a few weeks ago now looks like a tough task.
Probable Sunderland XI
Manager: Chris Coleman
Formation: 4-1-4-1
GK – Lee Camp
The former Forest and Derby keeper has not had a good season and will hope to rebuild his career next season.
LB – Bryan Oviedo
Oviedo came back just in time for Chris Coleman as Adam Matthews had picked up an injury. However, the Costa Rican has not pulled up many trees for the Black Cats this season.
CB – Jake Clarke-Salter
The tough-tackling defender has already picked up two red cards in his short Sunderland career. He will need to have a calmer head on his shoulders as he steps in for John O’Shea.
CB – Lamine Koné
Just a few seasons ago, Kone looked very much at home in the Premier League but this season, he has not made an impact in the Championship.
RB – Donald Love
The former Manchester United player is a limited talent who gives everything he can for the team. One of David Moyes’ failed signings.
DM – Lee Cattermole
The likely relegation of Sunderland will hurt Cattermole more than anyone else in the team. He lives and breathes red and white and will be devastated to witness what is left of this once proud club.
LM – Aiden McGeady
The 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international has begun to show his age and although he can still deliver a great cross or a free-kick, his influence has begun to wane.
CM – Ovie Ejaria
His record for Sunderland reads 9 games and 0 wins. Maybe this is the right time for him to try and change that record.
CM – George Honeyman
Possibly the only player to come out of this season with any credit, the talented midfielder has 7 goals in all competitions.
RM – Lynden Gooch
Lynden Gooch has raw talent but the bottom of the Championship is not the best environment for him to hone it.
ST – Ashley Fletcher
Ashley Fletcher perhaps brings more to his game than just goals but his record is incredibly poor. He has played 32 games this season and has 3 goals, which is a very bad return.