We return from the international break this weekend and head to Home Park to face Steven Schumacher's side Plymouth Argyle.
Last time out against Birmingham City the lads won 3-1 with Adil Aouchiche and Nectarios Triantis making the scoresheet as well as Jobe Bellingham, who netted against his former club. Mowbray's side, not having won an away game since Sheffield Wednesday earlier in September, are looking to pick up three points on the road. In a recent interview Schumacher said he wanted his team to be more ‘streetwise’ against Sunderland.
Newly promoted Argyle are currently 19th in the Championship with 16 points from 16 league games with only four wins. Automatically promoted from League One with 101 points, Plymouth came into a tough Championship season hoping to stay up at least and are aiming for a mid-table finish.
ONES TO WATCH
Plymouth’s star man Bali Mumba is an ex-Sunderland player, who has played every Championship game this season for Argyle. He has scored twice and assisted two goals so far this season. Mumba started his career at Sunderland making his senior debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018, where he was handed the captain's armband for the remaining few minutes making him SAFC’s youngest ever club captain.
He signed his first professional contract later in 2018, securing a three-year deal. In July 2020 he went to Norwich City on a four-year deal for £3m, making his debut in a 5-0 defeat to Manchester City. In 2022 Mumba was loaned to Peterborough for the remainder of the 21/22 season. He also scored the winner for Peterborough on his debut against Bristol Rovers in a 2-1 in the FA Cup Third Round.
He then then joined Plymouth Argyle on loan, where he has been since July of 2022. He played 47 games in the 22/23 season scoring eight goals as Plymouth lifted the League One title. At the end of the season, he was named Argyle fans Young Player of the Season, his teammates Player of the Season and was honoured Young Player of the season at the EFL Awards. Earlier this year, he signed for Argyle on a permanent basis, signing a four-year contract and a £1 million transfer fee.
INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS
Injury wise, Dennis Cirkin will miss out again after suffering an injury in the warm up against Birmingham City. Long term injuries to the squad mean Corry Evans, Jay Matete and Bradley Dack are still unavailable. With the lads returning from international duties a few have picked up knocks. Dan Ballard suffered a hamstring injury while away with Northern Ireland and played no part in their 2-0 win over Denmark, but trained today, so fingers crossed he makes it. Ballard was suspended for the Birmingham game, as was Luke O’Nein, but both have now served their one match bans.
LAST TIME THERE
Our last visit to Home Park in April 2022 brought us a hard-earned point, as Alex Neil’s side edged their way towards the play-offs with a 0-0 draw.
PREDICTION
I am predicting a 2-0 win for Sunderland with Jack Clarke finding the net for both goals.
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