NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 25: Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at GEODIS Park on July 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
After a somewhat disjointed pre-season – purely due to the World Cup – we rounded off with a couple of strong displays, before the real action starts today. With Meunier, Alderete and Mukiele fit, Le Bris has a couple of selection dilemmas – particularly on the wings. Here’s how I think Sunderland will line up today.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Easy one to start with – Roefs will be in goal and looking to get his second season in the Premier League off to a strong start.
LENS, FRANCE - AUGUST 8: Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs #22 during the pre-season friendly football match between RC Lens (RCL) and Sunderland AFC at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on August 8, 2026 in Lens, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
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Defence: Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Luke O’Nien, Reinildo
With everyone bar Adingra available for selection, there’s a bit of competition at the back – and while I think the game will come too early for Alderete to play a meaningful part, Nordi Mukiele could well come in at right back, having played a good part in pre-season up until a week or two ago. Ballard and Reinildo are certs, as I reckon is Luke O’Nien, who’s looked in good form during pre-season. It’ll be tough for him to keep his place, but we’re well past the stage of ever writing Luke O’Nien off, aren’t we?!
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND- AUGUST 15: Luke O’Nien of Sunderland runs with the ball during a Pre Season friendly match between Sunderland AFC and Stade Rennais at the Stadium of Light on August 15, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Midfield: Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Nilson Angulo
Mukiele being fit enables Hume to take up that right mid/hybrid role he does so well, and create the space for Nordi to attack down the right, while the centre of the park pretty much picks itself. On the left, it’s a toss up between Angulo and Talbi – and I think Angulo will get the nod for his defensive work, with Talbi coming on with 20 minutes or so of the game remaining.
Sunderland’s Nilson Angulo on the attack during the pre-season match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Saturday August 15, 2026. (Photo by Andy Commins/PA Images via Getty Images)
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Striker: Brian Brobbey
Brobbey will lead the line and I’m really looking forward to him doing so – he’s a different player to the one we signed less than a year ago, and with a good World Cup under his belt he could have a cracking season. Haway!
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Brian Brobbey of Sunderland looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Stade Rennais at Stadium of Light on August 15, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)