After a somewhat disjointed pre-season – purely due to the World Cup – we rounded off with a couple of strong displays, before the real action starts today. With Meunier, Alderete and Mukiele fit, Le Bris has a couple of selection dilemmas – particularly on the wings. Here’s how I think Sunderland will line up today.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Easy one to start with – Roefs will be in goal and looking to get his second season in the Premier League off to a strong start.
Defence: Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Luke O’Nien, Reinildo
With everyone bar Adingra available for selection, there’s
a bit of competition at the back – and while I think the game will come too early for Alderete to play a meaningful part, Nordi Mukiele could well come in at right back, having played a good part in pre-season up until a week or two ago. Ballard and Reinildo are certs, as I reckon is Luke O’Nien, who’s looked in good form during pre-season. It’ll be tough for him to keep his place, but we’re well past the stage of ever writing Luke O’Nien off, aren’t we?!
Midfield: Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Nilson Angulo
Mukiele being fit enables Hume to take up that right mid/hybrid role he does so well, and create the space for Nordi to attack down the right, while the centre of the park pretty much picks itself. On the left, it’s a toss up between Angulo and Talbi – and I think Angulo will get the nod for his defensive work, with Talbi coming on with 20 minutes or so of the game remaining.
Striker: Brian Brobbey
Brobbey will lead the line and I’m really looking forward to him doing so – he’s a different player to the one we signed less than a year ago, and with a good World Cup under his belt he could have a cracking season. Haway!
