Sunderland are travelling to Riverside Stadium for their FA Cup third round fixture against Middlesbrough. They are facing yet another relegation battle with the club at rock bottom, 24th in the Championship.
A nine-year spell at England’s premier competition came to an end last season when Sunderland were finally relegated last year. The club probably survived more relegation wars in the last ten years than the number of goals they scored last season. However, it was doom spelt all along for the Black Cats last season and after finishing rock bottom, they moved down to the Championship.
Things have not gone well for the Black Cats well this season either. Sunderland have just won just 4 of their 26 league matches this season and with only 22 points on the board as they stand in the relegation zone.
It is a sad state of affairs for the club’s board and Martin Bain, the Chief executive of Sunderland and the former Rangers man who now have to motivate the new manager Chris Coleman and the team to not get relegated from the Championships.
Coleman is going against an inform Boro side who are coming off an impressive 2-3 win against Preston at Deepdale. The former Wales manager might field his best resources in this matchup with not many options to rotate. An injury Sunderland side will have a hard time stopping the opposition from running away with a win.
He is expected to field his men in the 3-4-3 formation.
Defence
Jason Steele is expected to start ahead of Robbin Ruiter in between the sticks. Coleman said: “Steele will start this weekend. He deserves a go, he’s worked hard. Robbin has been in the chair and kept four clean sheets since we came in so we’ve stuck with him but we’ll give Steele a runout. I don’t think there’s much between them anyway.”
The defensive back 3 might feature Tyias Browning, John O’Shea and Adam Mathews.
Midfield
Billy Jones is expected to start in the right wing back position with Bryan Oviedo on the left.
With Lee Cattermole, Jack Rodwell and Didier NDong still unfit for this fixture the midfield is expected to feature Darron Gibson and George Honeyman.
Attack
Lewis Grabban and Duncan Watmore are also fitness concerns and are highly unlikely to get called up.
James Vaughan should start in the lone striker role with Callum McManaman on the right wing. Aiden McGeady has been ruled out and should be replaced by Joel Asoro on the left.
