The Stadium of Light experienced a Premier League defeat for the first time this season in the most recent gameweek, as Liverpool secured a 1-0 win courtesy of a Virgil van Dijk header. The result put a dent in Sunderland’s European ambitions, as they currently sit 11th, with four points separating them from Brentford in seventh ahead of the game against Fulham.
Regis Le Bris’s side have also suffered back-to-back defeats in the top flight for the first time this season, which shows how strong they have been as a newly promoted side. The French manager will want to avoid a scenario where they lose three on the bounce, as they will be looking to secure a first top-flight win over Fulham since 2009.
They did defeat the Cottagers in their last league meeting in the Championship on Wearside nine years ago. However, the Black Cats lost the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage. Le Bris will want revenge and to take advantage of the topsy-turvy nature of the table to climb a few places.
Fulham’s inconsistent season has continued after the West London club showed promise of a European push around mid-January. Since that time, they have seen a significant dip in performances and have lost four of their last five league games.
In fact, Marco Silva’s side are on a three-game losing streak, and the Portuguese manager will want to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat when they visit Wearside. Owing to their good record on this ground, the travelling fans will be slightly optimistic, especially given how Sunderland themselves look a bit deflated.
Fulham sit two points behind Sunderland in the table heading into this round of fixtures. A win would see Silva’s side climb above the Black Cats, and this contest promises fireworks, with both teams eager to rediscover their best form and remain in the reckoning for a spot in one of the continental tournaments next season.
The big boost is the return to fitness of talismanic midfielder and skipper Granit Xhaka. Regis Le Bris will be tempted to start the Swiss star, but he may err on the side of caution and use him off the bench at some stage. However, the Black Cats have lost three of the four games their captain has missed through injury.
On the injury front, Bertrand Traore’s knee issue will keep him out, while Reinildo Mandava will miss a month of action with a similar problem. Le Bris is expected to start Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra in midfield, with four-assist star Enzo Le Fee in the attacking midfield role.
Brian Brobbey is widely expected to lead the line despite intense competition for his spot, while stand-in skipper Trai Hume will start on the right wing, with Chemsdine Talbi on the other flank. Dan Ballard and Omar Alderete will operate at the heart of the defence, while Nordi Mukiele will play at right-back, and Dennis Cirkin is expected to replace Mandava on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Alderete, Ballard, Cirkin; Diarra, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey
Marco Silva does not have a long injury list to contend with, although there are some key stars out of action for this trip to Wearside. Samuel Chukwueze is chief among them, with the winger set to miss out with a calf issue.
Sasa Lukic’s thigh problem will also rule him out, as will Tom Cairney. Brazilian winger Kevin is the likely replacement for Chukwueze, while Alex Iwobi will take his place alongside Sander Berge in central midfield.
Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey are set to resume their central defensive partnership, with Timothy Castagne likely to be preferred to Kenny Tete on the right and Antonee Robinson on the left.
Key man Harry Wilson will be viewed as the main attacking threat by the opposition, while Raul Jimenez will lead the line for the Cottagers.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Iwobi, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jimenez
The talismanic midfielder may not be chosen to start this game, but his return from injury is a major boost for Sunderland. Regis Le Bris’s side have lost three of the four games Xhaka has missed, and his presence could be vital for a late push for a European place.
Xhaka is instrumental to the way Sunderland play, as his presence allows them the control that Le Bris seeks to get positive results on the board. The fans will hope to see him on the pitch against Fulham and will be hoping he can turn the game in their favour, even if it is from the bench.
This game could head in the same direction as the reverse fixture, with two teams keeping it tight and being separated by one goal. Fulham’s form coming into this one is slightly worse than their hosts’, and Marco Silva will want a decisive moment from one of his players.
While the two teams are evenly matched in terms of quality, Sunderland may have the edge on home soil. A single goal may decide it, with the hosts likely to triumph and climb up the table in the process.
