Having failed to win a game since Birmingham (before the last international break), the Lads face West Bromwich Albion tomorrow who sit 5th in the Championship.
LAST TIME OUT
Last time on the road the Lads faced Millwall and scraped a 1-1 draw with Jack Clarke finding the back of the net with a late penalty, grabbing an undeserved point on the road. Luke O’Nien was arguably to blame for Millwall’s goal, losing track of striker Kevin Nisbet just before half time.
Of course, the disappointing result let to the sacking of Tony Mowbray. With no replacement lined up, Mike Dodds will take charge on Saturday against West Brom.
INJURY LATEST
From Sunderlands perspective, the injury situation seems to be the same as it has the past few weeks. The likes of Corry Evans and Jay Matete are still long-term absentees, whilst Timothee Pembele and Aji Alese are both building up to a return in the coming weeks.
West Brom's longest serving player Matty Phillips is set to miss four months due to a hamstring injury he picked up against Leicester City last Saturday. Phillips has been involved in all of West Brom’s 19 games this season, scoring three and making three assists. Baggies manager Carlos Corberan said: “it is disappointing to lose a player who has played such a crucial role in Albion's start to the Championship season”.
ONES TO WATCH
Corberan’s side sits 5th in the league with three wins and two defeats in their last five. The baggies look to keep their place in the top six by picking up three points at the SoL on Saturday.
Former Sunderland man Josh Maja signed in the summer window this year on a three-year deal, and scored his first goal for the club in their 2-1 defeat to Leicester. He still hasn’t started a game for them but Corberan revealed he’s in with a chance with starting against his former club: : “I can tell you that one of these players is closer to playing. He’s closer to the first XI than ever before, only because before now he’s not been able to be. After this week of training, normally before Sunderland, he needs to be ready to play in the first XI. I will see if I play with him – or for the full game, normally no. Even if he’s not ready for the first time, I need to push the player because now it’s necessary for him and the team. At some point, he will be ready.”
West Brom's top goal scorer this season is John Swift, who can play as an attacking midfielder or winger. He’s on six goals (with one assist) in 14 appearances.
LAST TIME THERE
We went to the Hawthornes in April and won 2-1. Dennis Cirkin found the back of the net for both second half goals, proving once and for all that strikers are irrelevant in the modern game and goalscoring fullbacks are the way forward.
PREDICTION
Sunderland are in poor form and without a manager, facing a very handy WBA side. I’ll go for an optimistic 1-1 draw - Josh Maja is guaranteed to score!
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