Michael Beale will hope his Sunderland players pick up from where they last let off in the Championship on Sunday, putting Stoke City to the sword 3-1 last match in a convincing win.
The Black Cats don’t exactly have an easy game in prospect however straight after, travelling to near neighbours Middlesbrough in what could be a tense affair at the Riverside Stadium with both sides still aiming to propel up the league into the playoff mix.
Despite Beale being obviously pleased with what he saw at the Stadium of Light last weekend, the former Rangers manager could still make a tweak here or there to try and field the best possible lineup he can to get the better of Michael Carrick’s side.
Here’s what the Sunderland lineup could well look for tomorrow’s lunchtime contest, with new signing Leo Hjelde in contention to make his debut in two potential changes…
1GK – Anthony Patterson
Trusted as the starting Sunderland goalkeeper for the entire season so far, there’s no danger in Anthony Patterson being dropped for the trip to the Riverside tomorrow.
Patterson wasn’t quite at his best against Stoke City – conceding after Jenson Seelt converted past this own keeper late on – but the one-time surprise Liverpool transfer target will be retained in-between the sticks regardless by Beale.
2RB – Trai Hume
With Sunderland finally recruiting a new left-back in the transfer window, Trai Hume could be reverted back to a right-back position for the short trip to Teesside.
Hume was quiet in the Stoke win as the Sunderland wingers took centre stage in bombing forward, but his consistent performances in defence otherwise this season demand he starts away at Middlesbrough – winning seven duels even when his team lost 1-0 to Hull City before the 3-1 Lilywhites victory, a constant battler for Beale’s men even when the result isn’t swinging in their favour.
