January signing to make debut: Sunderland predicted line-up v Middlesbrough

What Sunderland team might Michael Beale pick for the trip to Middlesbrough?

Sunderland head to Middlesbrough this weekend looking to build some momentum ahead of the Championship run-in.

A win would build on the good 3-1 win over Stoke last week as well as push Sunderland back into the play-off positions.

That won’t be easy, of course, especially given Sunderland’s poor record at Middlesbrough in recent times.

For the first time in a while, Michael Beale has some real options to consider, so what starting line-up might he go with at the Riverside? Let’s have a go at predicting it.

Sunderland predicted line-up v Middlesbrough (4-3-3)

GK: Anthony Patterson: No need to consider a goalkeeping change at all, and even if there was there isn’t a lot of quality behind Patterson in the pecking order.

RB: Trai Hume: Hume has done a job for the team and filled in at left-back recently. Beale has spoken openly about wanting him back on his natural side of the pitch, though.

CB: Luke O’Nien: Sunderland’s previous two coaches have rated O’Nien ahead of Jenson Seelt and it’s hard to imagine Beale dropping the most experienced player he has – especially for what many consider a derby.

CB: Dan Ballard: The Northern Irishman is just one yellow card away from a two-match suspension, but his place in the team is safe as houses until that happens.

LB: Leo Hjelde: Michael Beale appears to really value balance and has high hopes for full backs getting forward and delivering into the box. As the only left-back available, that surely means a good chance Hjelde makes his debut here.

CM: Pierre Ekwah: On the scoresheet against Stoke and looks much happier further forward.

CM: Dan Neil: Appears to be the midfielder best suited to a deeper holding role and performed it admirably last week.

CM: Jobe Bellingham: If we have learned one thing this season, it is that if Jobe Bellingham is fit, he is playing.

RW: Abdoullah Ba: Put in a sensational performance against Stoke, scoring one and creating the other two. Patrick Roberts is back, but Ba deserves to keep his place.

CF: Mason Burstow: Finally got off the mark last week and showed some real promise too in other moments. Should get the nod to continue.

LW: Jack Clarke: Sunderland will likely need another big performance from their star man to come away from the Riverside with any points. 

---

READ MORE SUNDERLAND NEWS

• Sunderland contract situation: Who is nearing the end of their current deal?
• Top Ten: Sunderland's best ever January signings
• Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham names two former Sunderland players as his heroes
• Jordan Willis and seven other Sunderland careers ruined by injury
• Sell to thrive, not sell to survive: The Sunderland 'model' explained - in their own words
• Luke O'Nien and eight other Sunderland players who successfully changed positions