Sunderland predicted line-up vs Fulham: French duo to get chance to impress?

What Sunderland side might Tony Mowbray pick for the FA Cup replay against Fulham?

Michael Graham | Feb 7, 2023

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Fulham: French duo to get chance to impress? /

Sunderland entertain Fulham in an FA Cup fourth round replay on Wednesday night, and Tony Mowbray has some decisions to make.

The principal problem Sunderland have is that there will be no strikers available to call upon.

Ross Stewart will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury, while Joe Gelhardt is not eligible to play.

Mowbray says he may have to rotate his squad a little with plenty of games coming up too, which could mean a change for a couple of fringe players to start.

Let's have a go at predicting his line-up.

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Fulham (4-2-3-1)

GK: Anthony Patterson - The young keeper was in brilliant form in the original tie and he looks impossible to drop right now.

RB: Trai Hume - Another fine performance at Millwall only served to enhance his growing reputation.

CB: Dan Ballard - Sunderland will need him to be at his best to get a result.

CB: Danny Batth - One of the only experienced players likely to be available to start the game, making him more important than ever.

LB: Aji Alese - Will be coming under pressure from Dennis Cirkin soon, but a concussion to the latter means his place is safe for now.

CM: Dan Neil - Getting increasingly difficult to imagine a Sunderland team without him.

CM: Pierre Ekwah - Tony Mowbray has hinted at a couple of the fringe players getting chances, and that may mean a rest for Edouard Michut and his compatriot replacing him.

RW: Patrick Roberts - Been in sensational form of late and surely un-droppable.

AM: Amad Diallo - Has been thriving in the middle where he can link-up with Roberts.

LW: Abdoullah Ba - Still lacks the positional discipline to play central midfield but has really impressed with his energy and running power when played from the left.

CF: Jack Clarke - Probably the best option to play up front as Mowbray has hinted he is looking for someone able to run in behind.

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Published Feb 7, 2023

MICHAEL GRAHAM

Michael Graham is a professional sports writer with more than ten years of industry experience. After pursuing football writing by helping establish the Roker Report Sunderland AFC fansite, Michael moved to Planet Sport to cover football. Michael has since worked on many of the sports sites within the Planet Sport network, including Football365, TEAMtalk and Planet Football before leaving to join 90min. As well as football, Michael is an accomplished tennis writer and has been regularly featured on Tennishead, TennisBuzz and Tennis365. It is football that is his first love, though, with Sunderland AFC his particular passion. Contact: michael@buzzpublishing.co.uk