With Reinildo back in contention, there was an increasing chance that we might go five at the back at Stamford Bridge; however, Omar Alderete’s absence today makes that unlikely. Nordi Mukiele’s performance at right back last weekend was excellent, and with Luke O’Nien also back in contention there’s a few options available to the manager today. In our last away game, we were a bit too open, so it’ll be interesting to see how we approach today’s game. Here’s how we think Sunderland might line up today.
Roefs will have to be at the top of his game if we’re to get anything out of today – he’s had an exceptional start to the season.
Defence: Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Reinildo
If Alderete was fit, how we line up at the back would have been a really difficult to predict – however, Reinildo will come straight back in at left back with Hume moving back over to the right. Mukiele will come back over into the centre, partnering Ballard. \
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee
While Le Fee began on the left last week, I think he’ll come into the centre to replace Chris Rigg today. Hopefully, Noah Sadiki’s full fit and will be in the line up come 1:45pm, while Granit Xhaka will take his usual place in the centre of the park.
Attack: Bertrand Traore, Wilson Isidor, Chemsdine Talbi
Isidor’s pace could be important on the counter today, and I think we’ll play Talbi on the left – if need be he could drop a bit deeper into left wing back if we want to go to five at the back. On the other side, I think we’ll go with someone who can play through the middle as well as on the wing – so it’s either Traore or Mayenda. Regis seems to like Traore, and while he didn’t play well last time out, he’s obviously still getting match fit – with the ability to pull a goal out of nothing, and playing against his former club, I reckon Traore will get another start today.