Sunderland host Oxford United this weekend as they look to make it nine points from a possible nine across a busy week.
Sunderland have already secured two huge away wins this week, beating Hull City and Luton Town.
The Black Cats have found themselves three points clear at the top of the league after those two excellent results. Across the two games, three moments of real quality from Wilson Isidor, Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle secured the two victories.
With Oxford United’s poor away form in mind, the Black Cats will be very confident they can secure another three points at the weekend.
The Yellows might be five games unbeaten in the Championship, but all of those have been draws. Nevertheless, they would likely take a similar outcome against the early league leaders this afternoon.
Regis Le Bris has provided an update on his squads fitness in his pre-match press conference. He confirmed that Sunderland will have the same squad available to the one he had at Luton Town on Wednesday.
Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard will once again miss the weekend’s game but both have returned to training.
As relayed by the Sunderland Echo, Le Bris said this of Mayenda specifically:
“We don’t need to take risks, especially with Eliezer. He could be involved tomorrow if we needed him but we don’t want to take the risk of a recurrence with this kind of injury.”
They have no fresh concerns but long-term absentees Salis Abdul Samed, Aji Alese, Ahmed Abdullahi, Ian Poveda, Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins remain out.
Alese, Poveda and Samed are all expected to return after the November international break.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3)
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin; Rigg, Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Isidor, Mundle.
There could be just one change to the Sunderland lineup as Patrick Roberts returns to the side in place of Alan Browne.
Browne came into the side to play Luton Town, adding some extra bite against a physical Hatters side. However, back on home turf, the more attack-minded nature of Roberts could be welcomed.
Chris Rigg will return to his natural centre-midfield role after playing on the right-hand side last time out.
Wilson Isidor continues upfront with Mayenda remaining absent. Aaron Connolly will be eagerly awaiting his first start and will likely make his first appearance at the Stadium of Light from the bench.