Sunderland travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Sky Bet Championship Last time out Sunderland lost to Reading and Wolves beat Birmingham. Sunderland are without at least 10 of their first team squad due to injuries and suspensions. N’Dong and Jones are back in training, but are unlikely to be ready to start on Saturday. Wolves are top of the league and very much the in-form team in the Championship with 6 straight wins and scoring for fun at home. With Bonatini and Jota, Wanderers are well equipped to impose yet more pain on a struggling Sunderland defence. Former Black Cat Alfred N’Diaye was fortunate not to see a red card in the Midlands derby and could feature for Wolves. Chris Coleman: “We will have no Paddy McNair who we lost in the warm-up on Saturday with a groin (injury), Bryan Oviedo went off early in the second half, and both players will be unavailable. Then you have got Billy Jones, Didier Ndong and (Lamine) Kone, (Jack) Rodwell – all these players are not going to be available.” “Of course, Duncan Watmore and Jonny Williams are long-term. When you add all those up we have probably eight or nine players that would figure if they were fit. Callum McManaman is suspended.” Speaking about the FA Cup: “It is a great game for us, and local, really. Well to be fair, no one is local for Sunderland. I have found that out. Everywhere is a three-hour drive.” “But no, it is a great game, I love the FA Cup. I loved it as a player and a manager. We will be going there at our strongest and we will be going there to try and win the game.” “We want to progress in the cup competition. We have got to pick up in the league and progress as far as we can in the cup. We owe the fans, who keep coming to support us.” Nuno Espirito Santo: “I’m looking at the next game against Sunderland. We only think about the next game. I think the midfield worked well at Birmingham. There were many situations which required a lot of running, covering and balancing. We did well.” “A second goal would have changed everything. It would have made us more comfortable and given us the opportunity to play better. “We had chances, so we must take credit for creating chances against a tough opponent.” “I was really happy with the first half, the way we managed and took control of the game from the first minute. We had good possession, we were threatening going forward and we defended very well. I think that a clean sheet is a well deserved prize for the way we defended as a team. We didn’t concede many chances.” Match facts: Wolves have only lost one of their last 12 home league games against Sunderland - a 1-0 defeat in February 1998. But Sunderland are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Wolves outside the top flight. Leo Bonatini has had a hand in at least one goal in all 10 of his home Championship matches this season (eight goals, four assists). Lewis Grabban has scored eight goals in his last eight league matches - more than the seven he scored in his previous 55 league appearances (including play-offs). Of Wolves' overall total of 41 goals, they have found the net 20 times in the first half of Championship matches this season, more than any other side. Sunderland have not won back to back away league matches since May 2014, when they beat Chelsea and Manchester United in the Premier League. Form: Sports Analytics Machine – Home win 73% Prutton predicts: 3-0 Referee: JEREMY SIMPSON Assistants: Nigel Lugg and Mark Jones Fourth Official: Peter Bankes Team Line ups Sunderland: Substitutes: Steele, Beadling, Love, Gooch, Gibson, Maja, Asoro Injured Kone, Watmore, Williams, Jones, Wilson, Rodwell, N’Dong, Oviedo, McNair Suspended: McManaman Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ruddy, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Saiss, N'Diaye, Douglas, Cavaleiro, Bonatini, Jota Subs from: Batth, Costa, Price, Miranda, Enobakhare, Vinagre, Neves Injured: Ofosu-Ayeh Betting Odds: H 4/11 A 15/2 D 19/5 My two pence: Given the injury list and our inability to defend, I’m not looking forward to this game at all, which could be another Southampton, Watford or Everton. Chris Coleman has threatened to ‘rest’ some of the senior players and introduce some more youngsters. Cattermole, McGeady and Gibson need a good kick up the backside, so bring it on. The form stats don’t look pretty – unless you are a Wolves fan. I’m going for a 3-0 home win Ha’way the Lads
Think I'll assume Wolves will be added to the WestHam Watford Southampton list. Then if we keep it to four, won't be too disappointed.
Well I'm going for, a postponed due to snow - then we'll win on a new day next year with a stronger team
We have played well away from home recently, which is why I think it'll be tighter than a lot expect and I think that we'll score as well, as we normally do. 2-1 to the lads.... That form guide is scary mind - although they have to fail to win eventually....
Watched them against Birmingham and they look a very good side both attacking and defensively. We are better away from home and I don’t see us getting minced, but we won’t get a clean sheet against them so I do feel it’s a loss, likely 2-1.
That doesn't concern me as much the fact we're down to the bare bones this weekend. I see your point though
Would like to see ----------------------Ruiter--------------------- ----Browning-Beadling-Wilson------ Matthews-----------------------Galloway ---------Honeyman--E.Robson--------- -------------------Mcgeady------------------ -------------Vaughan--Grabban--------- I've said a few times that this is a free swing for Coleman. I hope that he uses it to give Oshea and Cattermole the boot. It's time to blood a couple of the younger players. Asoro, Gooch and Maja from the bench
"Lewis Grabban has scored eight goals in his last eight league matches - more than the seven he scored in his previous 55 league appearances"
