Sunderland: Predicted XI vs Wigan

Sunderland can be seeking to proceed their wonderful latest type and shut in on the Championship playoffs after they tackle Wigan Athletic on Thursday night.

Tony Mowbray’s facet moved to inside one level of the playoff locations within the second tier with a 2-1 conquer Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day and can be assured of one other three factors in opposition to a struggling Wigan facet, who’re but to indicate many indicators of enchancment beneath new supervisor Kolo Toure.

Sadly for the Black Cats, defensive accidents are plaguing the squad which might make issues for Mowbray over the extraordinarily busy Christmas and New Yr interval, so adjustments can be essential for the journey to the DW Stadium.

Right here is how Soccer FanCast expects Mowbray to line his facet up on Thursday night, with three adjustments from the group that began in opposition to Blackburn final day out.

Anthony Patterson is the one Sunderland participant to have featured in every game to this point this season and he appears unlikely to lose his place in between the sticks in opposition to Wigan.

With Denis Cirkin and Lyndon Gooch each ruled out of the journey to Lancashire by way of accidents picked up in opposition to Blackburn, adjustments can be essential at full-back, so Trai Hume will get the nod on the fitting, whereas the versatile Luke O’Nien strikes over to the left from centre-back.

With centre-backs Ajibola Alese and Danny Batth additionally lacking by way of injury, Bailey Wright appears to be like more likely to return to the beginning 11 alongside Daniel Ballard within the coronary heart of Mowbray’s defence.

Corry Evans and Dan Neil have impressed in latest fixtures in the course of the park, and with Elliot Embleton additionally sidelined, it appears nearly sure that they are going to proceed their partnership there in opposition to Wigan.

Mowbray might contemplate switching again to a 4-4-2 in an effort to accommodate the Boxing Day matchwinner Ellis Simms into the group, so Jack Clarke begins on the left and Amad Diallo strikes to the fitting, with the “magic” Patrick Roberts the person to overlook out.

Ross Stewart has scored in every of the final two video games, together with one in his personal finish in opposition to Blackburn, so can be seeking to proceed his wonderful type with one other effort in opposition to Wigan, partnering the similarly-dangerous Simms within the Sunderland assault.