Sunderland return to Championship action a week ahead of schedule on Saturday afternoon as they take on Millwall at the Stadium of Light.
Tony Mowbray’s side agreed to rearrange the game against Millwall for a week before the rest of the second tier returns to action after it was initially suspended due to the Queen’s death.
The Black Cats looked good in their 2-1 win against Birmingham City ahead of the World Cup break and have welcomed back some key players during the break, so will be confident of three points against Gary Rowett’s side.
However, the Lions also enjoyed some good form in the build-up to the break and currently occupy a playoff spot in the Championship, so it won’t be an easy game for Mowbray’s side.
Here is how Football FanCast expects Sunderland to line up on Saturday, with three changes from the team that started in the win over Birmingham.
Anthony Patterson has been very impressive for the Black Cats so far this season and looks unlikely to lose his place in between the sticks.
Will Sunderland win today?
Luke O’Nien missed the game at St Andrew’s through suspension so he looks likely to return in place of the inexperienced Trai Hume at right-back.
Bailey Wright is still at the World Cup with Australia after they earned a surprising spot in the knockout stages, so the 21-year-old “monster” Ajibola Alese replaces him at centre-back.
The former West Ham man starts alongside Danny Batth, while Dennis Cirkin keeps his place at left-back to complete the back four.
Jack Clarke and Amad Diallo have both impressed in recent fixtures, so they keep their places on the wing, while Corry Evans and Dan Neil continue their partnership in the middle.
The final change comes in attack, as Ross Stewart earns a start after recovering from injury, and he replaces Alex Pritchard in the hope that he and Ellis Simms can rediscover the form they showed together earlier in the season.
