January signing to make debut: Sunderland predicted line-up v Middlesbrough
Sunderland head to Middlesbrough this weekend looking to build some momentum ahead of the Championship run-in.
A win would build on the good 3-1 win over Stoke last week as well as push Sunderland back into the play-off positions.
That won’t be easy, of course, especially given Sunderland’s poor record at Middlesbrough in recent times.
For the first time in a while, Michael Beale has some real options to consider, so what starting line-up might he go with at the Riverside? Let’s have a go at predicting it.
Sunderland predicted line-up v Middlesbrough (4-3-3)
GK: Anthony Patterson: No need to consider a goalkeeping change at all, and even if there was there isn’t a lot of quality behind Patterson in the pecking order.
RB: Trai Hume: Hume has done a job for the team and filled in at left-back recently. Beale has spoken openly about wanting him back on his natural side of the pitch, though.
CB: Luke O’Nien: Sunderland’s previous two coaches have rated O’Nien ahead of Jenson Seelt and it’s hard to imagine Beale dropping the most experienced player he has – especially for what many consider a derby.
CB: Dan Ballard: The Northern Irishman is just one yellow card away from a two-match suspension, but his place in the team is safe as houses until that happens.
LB: Leo Hjelde: Michael Beale appears to really value balance and has high hopes for full backs getting forward and delivering into the box. As the only left-back available, that surely means a good chance Hjelde makes his debut here.
CM: Pierre Ekwah: On the scoresheet against Stoke and looks much happier further forward.
CM: Dan Neil: Appears to be the midfielder best suited to a deeper holding role and performed it admirably last week.
CM: Jobe Bellingham: If we have learned one thing this season, it is that if Jobe Bellingham is fit, he is playing.
RW: Abdoullah Ba: Put in a sensational performance against Stoke, scoring one and creating the other two. Patrick Roberts is back, but Ba deserves to keep his place.
CF: Mason Burstow: Finally got off the mark last week and showed some real promise too in other moments. Should get the nod to continue.
LW: Jack Clarke: Sunderland will likely need another big performance from their star man to come away from the Riverside with any points.
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