Auf Wiefersehen, marra - the Lads have jetted off to Germany to take on decent Bundesliga opposition in FC Augsburg this afternoon, with fans in attendance wondering what sort of Sunderland side will show up when they take to the field at the WWK Arena at 2pm (UK time).
All the indications that I’ve been given by journalists this week is that the plan is for the strongest XI - i.e., the side that we are going to play against West Ham in our season opener next weekend - is the one that has travelled across to Germany, but as we know, plans can change and it’ll be anyone’s guess up until the teams are announced an hour before kick off.
Given that the club advertised tomorrow’s game at the Stadium of Light as an opportunity to get a first glimpse of Marc Guiu, it’s unlikely that he’ll feature in this one, but if my spidey senses are correct and we’re going with the team we want to play next Saturday, it should be interesting to see how things shape up.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 6: Marc Guiu poses for pictures at The Academy of Light after joining Sunderland on a season long loan on August 6, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 6: Marc Guiu poses for pictures at The Academy of Light after joining Sunderland on a season long loan on August 6, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
It’s my understanding that Jenson Seelt will leave the club on loan once the centre of defence is sorted out in the transfer window, but as it stands he and Dan Ballard are the strongest options in that area of the field, so his inclusion largely depends on whether he’s recovered from whatever kept him out of the game against Real Betis. We know he’s travelled with the squad as the club posted a photo of him boarding the plane, so hopefully that means he’s good to go.
The full back positions pretty much pick themselves - Trai Hume and Reinildo are likely to start there, though if Seelt is still carrying a knock and Nectar Triantis isn’t travelling, we could well see Harrison Jones at left back with Reinildo filling in at centre half again, so let’s wait and see.
The midfield is where I think it gets very interesting, and Régis Le Bris has some big decisions to make. Noah Sadiki has been the standout performer in pre-season, as has Habib Diarra, but will they be picked ahead of Enzo Le Fee? I think that’s the case, as I’ve heard he’s not travelled to Germany. Granit Xhaka is, of course, a shoo-in in that holding role, so who else will partner with him in that midfield three?
Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fee during the pre-season friendly match at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday July 26, 2025. (Photo by Scott Heppell/PA Images via Getty Images)
Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fee during the pre-season friendly match at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday July 26, 2025. (Photo by Scott Heppell/PA Images via Getty Images)
PA Images via Getty Images
Le Bris has preferred a front three of Chemsdine Talbi, Simon Adingra and Eliezer Mayenda in pre-season and you’d expect him to stick by that, though personally I’d like to see what Paddy Roberts could do when surrounded by some of these more talented players. Whether we get a chance to see it today, I doubt it.
Ultimately, all we need from today is for every player to get through the ninety minutes unscathed. It would be a massive bonus if we could score some goals and go into the new season with some good feeling and positivity, but the results and performances aren’t the be all and end all in pre-season. If you can win and score some goals, it’s an added bonus.
The fact we’re doing so much guessing about what might happen today and how we’ll shape up is quite fun, but once the teams are announced at 1pm I think we’ll have a better idea of what the plan is when approaching the Premier League opener next weekend against West Ham.
Gav’s Predicted Starting XI (4-3-3)
Robin Roefs; Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Jenson Seelt, Reinildo Mandava; Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra; Chemsdine Talbi, Eliezer Mayenda, Simon Adingra.