Sunderland predicted line-up vs Huddersfield: Time to mix things up a little?

Will Tony Mowbray make changes to his Sunderland team for the visit of Huddersfield?

We are a long way from crisis stations at Sunderland, but it’s fair to say that we could all really do with a home win against Huddersfield at the Stadium of Light.

The attack misfired for a third successive away game at Plymouth on Saturday, and Sunderland are in danger of becoming one of those teams who get more plaudits than points.

Tony Mowbray has a chest infection with which to contend this week, but let’s have a go at predicting what starting eleven he will pick against the Terriers.

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Sunderland predicted line-up vs Huddersfield (4-1-4-1)

GK: Anthony Patterson: No fault could be assigned to Patterson for the Plymouth defeat so not even remotely in danger of his place coming under question.

RB: Train Hume: Another solid performance last week from a player who has become one of the very best full-backs in the Championship.

CB: Luke O’Nien: Will continue to have his detractors among the supporters but appears to be a clear favourite of Tony Mowbray.

CB: Dan Ballard: If he is fit, he plays. That is the level Dan Ballard is at these days.

LB: Niall Huggins: If you wanted to be uber-critical, you could say Huggins allowed Morgan Whittaker to cut inside on his left-foot a little too easily for his goal at Plymouth, but Huggins more than deserves to keep his run in the side going.

CDM: Dan Neil: Pierre Ekwah has not been on it lately and Mowbray said he was ‘not up to speed’ at Plymouth, where he was hauled off at half-time. That was probably a precursor to the Frenchman dropping out of the side, and if so then Neil will drop deeper.

RW: Patrick Roberts: The end product still isn’t quite there with Roberts this season, but Sunderland will be expecting to have a lot of the ball around Huddersfield’s box so the former Celtic man is someone you’ll want on the pitch.

CM: Jobe Bellingham: Should have scored at Plymouth and that goal threat should be enough to keep him in the team for this one.

CM: Adil Aouchiche: The time appears to have come for Aouchiche, who coach Mark Venus says has ‘made everyone take notice’ of his talent.

LW: Jack Clarke: Probably needs a confidence-boosting goal or two but he’ll be a key player once again.

CF: Eliezer Mayenda: At the moment it’s looking like a bit of a toss-up between Mayenda and Rusyn to start the game. Mayenda hasn’t started yet and Mowbray has talked up how good he has looked in training, so it’s probably time. 

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