Pritchard out in predicted XI vs Luton

Sunderland have an opportunity to safe their place within the Championship play-off last tonight as they journey away to face Luton City within the second leg of the semi-finals.

The Black Cats are nonetheless in with a shot of back-to-back promotions, after battling their method out of the third tier in 2021/22, and are in a powerful place heading into the match this night.

Tony Mowbray’s aspect are 2-1 up on mixture after their win in opposition to the Hatters on the Stadium of Gentle on Saturday. They got here from 1-0 all the way down to safe the victory with targets from Amad Diallo and Trai Hume finishing the comeback.

How will Sunderland line up in opposition to Luton?

The top coach might be pressured into making a few adjustments to his beginning XI for this conflict as Alex Pritchard and Patrick Roberts are each harm doubts.

Forward of the sport, Mowbray offered an replace on the pair’s health, saying:

“They each would possibly make it, they each may not. So it’ll rely upon the response [for the player has trained], the opposite is saying that they suppose in 24 hours it is going to be higher, so we are going to see if that’s the case.”

Anthony Patterson might retain his place between the sticks and the supervisor might go along with a again three of Trai Hume, Luke O’Nien and Lynden Gooch.

Nevertheless, there might be a change at wing-back if Roberts is unavailable for choice and this could open up the door for Niall Huggins to start out on the precise.

The 22-year-old, who journalist Josh Bunting as soon as lauded as a “stunning” signing, got here on to replace the ex-Manchester Metropolis man on Saturday.

Earlier this season, the gem made three tackles and interceptions mixed and 4 clearances in his solely Championship start of the marketing campaign in opposition to Birmingham – successful 50% of his floor duels.

While he might not have the offensive impression that Roberts – who scored 5 targets and made ten assists within the league – offers, his stats in that conflict with John Eustace’s aspect spotlight his defensive nous to make very important interventions to maintain the opposition out.

Elsewhere in midfield, Abdoullah Ba might exchange Alex Pritchard and play alongside Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah, with Jack Clarke lining up at left wing-back.

Soccer FanCast printed an article explaining why the Frenchman’s defensive high quality – successful 64% of his aerial battles within the second tier and having the ability to cope with any lengthy ball threats from Luton – makes him a great selection for that place in the midst of the park.

This is able to then depart Amad Diallo and Joe Gelhardt retaining their locations on the prime finish of the pitch as Sunderland try and make their technique to Wembley.

Predicted Sunderland XI (3-5-2): Patterson; Hume, O’Nien, Gooch; Huggins, Neil, Ba, Ekwah, Clarke; Diallo, Gelhardt.