Sunderland predicted line-up vs Leeds United: Alex Pritchard to start?
Sunderland will go for back-to-back wins when Leeds visit the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, and caretaker boss Mike Dodds will have some decisions to make.
Dodds made some positive changes to the usual set-up under former head coach Tony Mowbray, with more midfield solidity, greater width from the full-backs and Jobe Bellingham up front.
Let’s have a go at predicting the team he will select to face Daniel Farke’s side.
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Sunderland predicted line-up vs Leeds United (4-2-3-1)
GK: Anthony Patterson – No reason to even consider a goalkeeping change right now.
RB: Niall Huggins – One of two former Leeds players who will be keen to impress and will come into this one on the back of a couple of really positive performances.
CB: Luke O’Nien – Not everyone’s first choice, and always just one minor error from the words ‘natural centre back’ rushing towards a conversation with renewed vigour, but little reason to suggest he has lost the faith of the coaches.
CB: Dan Ballard – Sunderland’s most Premier League-ready player and certain to play match week if he is available.
LB: Trai Hume – Couple of typical Trai Hume tackles again against West Brom and put in a really solid performance which didn’t involve any responsibility to rotate into central midfield. With Hume, it’s not so much will he play, but which role will he play?
CM: Pierre Ekwah – Drew a little criticism for his performance against West Brom but it was a less eye-catching than we know he can be because it was more disciplined than it is usually. That could have been a Mike Dodds thing so it will be interesting to see what role Ekwah is asked to play against Leeds.
CM: Dan Neil – Scored a brilliant goal against West Brom and put in a really good performance. It didn’t get the credit it deserved really though because it has just become the norm for Neil.
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RW: Patrick Roberts – Man of the match last time out and unlucky that his performance didn’t transfer into the statistics. Will be an important player again against Leeds.
AM: Alex Pritchard – The man who changed the game from the substitutes bench against West Brom and picked up two assists. Should have had far more starts this season than he has but surely he has earned one this time.
LW: Jack Clarke – Not been at his best lately but still a huge threat and he should have a bit of extra motivation going up against his former club.
CF: Jobe Bellingham – Mike Dodds has talked him up as a centre forward and he did well in that position again last time out. It’s not like another striker is especially staking a claim right now either.
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