With Reinildo back in contention, there was an increasing chance that we might go five at the back at Stamford Bridge; however, Omar Alderete’s absence today makes that unlikely. Nordi Mukiele’s performance
at right back last weekend was excellent, and with Luke O’Nien also back in contention there’s a few options available to the manager today. In our last away game, we were a bit too open, so it’ll be interesting to see how we approach today’s game. Here’s how we think Sunderland might line up today.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Roefs will have to be at the top of his game if we’re to get anything out of today – he’s had an exceptional start to the season.
Defence: Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Reinildo
If Alderete was fit, how we line up at the back would have been a really difficult to predict – however, Reinildo will come straight back in at left back with Hume moving back over to the right. Mukiele will come back over into the centre, partnering Ballard. \
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee
While Le Fee began on the left last week, I think he’ll come into the centre to replace Chris Rigg today. Hopefully, Noah Sadiki’s full fit and will be in the line up come 1:45pm, while Granit Xhaka will take his usual place in the centre of the park.
Attack: Bertrand Traore, Wilson Isidor, Chemsdine Talbi
Isidor’s pace could be important on the counter today, and I think we’ll play Talbi on the left – if need be he could drop a bit deeper into left wing back if we want to go to five at the back. On the other side, I think we’ll go with someone who can play through the middle as well as on the wing – so it’s either Traore or Mayenda. Regis seems to like Traore, and while he didn’t play well last time out, he’s obviously still getting match fit – with the ability to pull a goal out of nothing, and playing against his former club, I reckon Traore will get another start today.
