Last Word on Football brings you the latest Europa League team news and the predicted lineups ahead of the Torreense vs Sunderland clash on Thursday.
The Black Cats travel to Portugal for their first European away fixture in more than 50 years, where they will face the current Portuguese Cup winners Torreense, who, despite being a second-tier team, shocked the nation by defeating Sporting Lisbon in the final.
Both head into this game on the back of a defeat last weekend and just one league win so far this season. However, both won their opening Europa League games. Torreense beat Norwegian side Lillestrøm 2-1 away from home, while Sunderland defeated AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Torreense vs Sunderland: Europa League Team News and Predicted Lineups
Date: October 15, 2026
Venue: Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa
Kick-off: 5:45 pm BST and WEST
Last Meeting: This is the first meeting between the two
TV: TNT Sports 2 (UK), Sport TV, DAZN (Portugal)
Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albania)
Current odds: Torreense 6/1, Draw 19/5, Sunderland 4/11
Torreense Team News
Midfielder Nuha Jatta will be missing following his red card in the win at Lillestrøm. Goalkeeper Adriel and defender Mohamed Ali Diadie also saw red, but that was in the league last weekend, and they are available for this game.
Manu Pozo, who scored the second goal in Norway, will be hoping for a recall after being dropped to the substitutes’ bench in the last game.
“We know how strong Sunderland are, and how strong all the other teams are who all deserve to be here.
We’re humble and we work hard so we can honour the club and do it proud in the Europa League.”
Stopira, Torreense captain
Sunderland Team News
The Blacks are set to be without defenders Dan Ballard and Thomas Meunier. Both have hamstring injuries, with Ballard’s thought to be the more serious and likely to keep him out until after the next international break. Fullback Meunier was substituted against Brighton last weekend and is unlikely to feature.
Striker Wilson Isidor was also absent from training on Wednesday morning, according to reports.
In better news for Regis Le Bris, striker Brian Brobbey, who was injured on international duty with the Netherlands, has returned to training; however, at this stage, it is uncertain as to whether he will be risked. Midfielder Habib Diarra has also returned to training after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury sustained against Fulham. Fellow midfielder Jules Ahoka is also back in contention following an extended international break.
Black Cats head coach Le Bris is expected to make changes to his team, with several squad players expected to be given the chance to impress.
Torreense vs Sunderland Predicted Lineups
Torreense
Adriel
Bruno
Diadie
Volnei
Vazquez
Oudrhiri
Alfaro
Pozo
Marques
Jean
Abubakari
Sunderland
Roefs
Mukiele
O’Nien
Alderete
Methalie
Xhaka
Sadiki
Le Fee
Fofana
Rigg
Isidor
The Last Word on Torreense vs Sunderland
Torreense vs Sunderland.
View of Stadium from the castle of Leiria where Torreense will play Sunderland. Credit: IMAGO / Depositphotos
Sunderland will be backed by several thousand travelling supporters who will be out to enjoy their European adventure and will bring plenty of noise and passion with them. The Black Cats are favourites, but as seen when Torreense played Sporting in the cup final last season, they won’t be intimidated.
Due to Torreense’s 2,500-capacity home ground not meeting UEFA requirements to host Europa League fixtures, the game will be played at the much bigger Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.
The home side will be no pushovers, but Sunderland should have enough quality to return to Wearside with the three points.
Prediction: Torreense 1-3 Sunderland
Further Reading