Championship | Gameweek 17

Nov 26, 2024 at 8pm UK

Stadium of Light

Sunderlandvs.West Brom

Match preview

Sunderland are currently level on points with leaders Leeds, and although both sides have conceded just 12 times, the Black Cats' 26 goals are two fewer than the leaders.

Those returns mean Tuesday's hosts are the third most prolific attacking side in the division and joint fourth most prolific defensively.

The Black Cats controlled the first half against Millwall, taking the lead after 10 minutes and limiting their opponents to just one shot on target, but they eventually succumbed to the Lions in the second half when they conceded a 93rd-minute equaliser.

Manager Regis Le Bris suggested his side could have taken all three points against Millwall had they made better use of the ball, telling reporters: "We often won the first touches and after the second ball we were often unable to keep the ball when it was possible. We had a lot of space to exploit, as we did just before the equaliser.

Le Bris's men have not lost in their last nine matches, but have failed to win in any of their last four.

Sunderland have also drawn two of their last three games at the Stadium of Light, although they are unbeaten in seven home games this season, winning five.

Opponents West Brom had twice as many shots on target as Norwich, with 11, but both teams enjoyed an equal share of possession and created two good chances.

Manager Carlos Corberan said he thought his side had the better of the game, but was unhappy with his side's defensive performance, saying: "The team made a positive step forward in attack, but at the same time we conceded more chances and goals than we wanted to in the first half."

The Baggies occupy the final promotion play-off spot in the Championship thanks to a better goal difference than seventh-placed Watford.

Interestingly, while West Brom's return of 18 goals is the worst of the top 13, their 11 conceded is only bettered by third-placed Sheffield United and fourth-placed Burnley.

Recent Performance

Sunderland Championship form:WWDDDD

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:DDDDWD

Team News

The hosts will be without strikers Ahmed Abdullahi and Ian Poveda, while Aaron Connolly is a doubt after picking up a knock.

In their absence, Eliezer Mayenda, Milan Aleksic and Tom Watson could start behind striker Wilson Isidor.

Sunderland are also without defenders Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins, as well as midfielder Salis Abdul Samed, so expect a back line of Luke O'Nien, Chris Mepham, Daniel Ballard and Ajibola-Joshua Alese.

However, Jobe Bellingham will be back in contention after serving the last of his three-match ban against Millwall and is likely to partner Dan Neil in a double pivot.

West Brom will be without right-back Darnell Furlong, who is suspended for accumulating yellow cards, and Reece Hall could be his replacement.

Centre-backs Kyle Bartley, Patrick McNair and Semi Ajayi are unlikely to feature again until early December, and the away side may look to Mason Holgate and Torbjorn Heggem at the heart of defence.

Striker Daryl Dike is also out until the middle of next month, which could mean Karlan Grant and Josh Maja continue to lead the forward line.

Possible starting lineup

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; O'Nien, Mepham, Ballard, Alese; Bellingham, Neil; Mayenda, Aleksic, Watson; Isidor

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Palmer; Hall, Holgate, Heggem, Styles; Fellows, Molumby, Mowatt, Johnston; Maja, Grant