Sunderland welcome Derby to the Stadium of Light in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland lost at Watford and Derby lost at home to Norwich. Sunderland made a single change to their starting 11 with Wilson Isidor replacing Mayenda up front against Watford. Isidor scored his first goal for Sunderland and is expected to start against Derby. Ballard and Mayenda could join Poveda, Rusyn and Ba on the bench. Mayenda has been struggling with a muscular issue while Ballard continues to be affected by the ankle injury he picked up at Plymouth. Alan Browne is available, after missing out on the squad at Watford because of an ongoing knee problem. Samed is training but is unlikely to feature until after the international break. Huggins, Seelt, Alese & Abdullahi remain injured. Derby lost their unbeaten home record to Norwich in controversial circumstances as Borja Sanz scored in first-half injury time, finishing from point-blank range after the match officials failed to spot the ball was out of play when Josh Sargent cut it back from the byeline. Since a 1-0 success over Sunderland in the Premier League in 2001, Derby have lost seven and drawn five of their 12 matches against the Black Cats, with those fixtures taking place across three divisions. The Rams earned promotion from League One last season, finishing second in the table behind Portsmouth, and they will be looking to consolidate back in the second tier during the 2024-25 campaign. They currently sit in 13th position with 9 points. Regis le Bris: “I'm disappointed; the first 15 minutes were difficult. We expected it because we knew they had the ability to manage the width with their front five against our back four. “We were not sure we had the solution so we expected the problem. We solved it when Dan Neil dropped into the back four. “With the ball we were able to build up the game and progress. “When we lost the ball it was a strong weapon for the opposition because they are very strong with counter attacks. That was when the game changed either in possession, or out of it by losing duels. “The difference between defeat and victory is small but we learned from this experience.” “It is football, mistakes happen," said the head coach. “But I cannot say we lose the game because of Dan, it is not the truth. I haven't seen the clip back but I'm sure that he should have more support, it was a long, long one-versus-one situation. “When we analyse that situation, I know that I will find many reasons to explain why it happened, with other players as well. “We know there will be reactions after the game, but Dan can play very well in this position (defensive midfield). The second player for this position is Salis (Abdul Samed), but right now he is not available. “Dan played well in the first game of the season, today there is a mistake, but he has made a good start.” Press conference: Paul Warne: “Would I like to see it (VAR) after today? Of course. But I don’t know. I just think the game is getting more and more complicated. “We are talking about inches here and there but even though I would have liked it today, you could argue our second goal was offside. If you do have VAR, it is still someone’s opinion." (After Derby's second goal) “I thought ‘here we go,’ it was like a game from the 1980s. I was going to send the goalkeeper up and I thought we were going to score a third but when it’s not your day, it’s not your day.” Match Appointments Referee: DEAN WHITESTONE Assistant Referees: Daniel Leach & Paul Hodskinson Fourth Official: Thomas Parsons Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-3-3) Patterson, Cirkin, Mepham, O’Nien, Hume, Rigg, Neil, Jobe, Mundle, Isidor, Roberts Subs: Moore, Hjelde, Ballard, Ba, Browne, Aleksic, Poveda, Mayenda, Watson. Injured: Huggins, Seelt, Alese, Samed, Abdullahi. Derby:(4-3-3) Zetterström, Forsyth, Cashin, Nelson, Nyambe, Adams, Osborne, Goudmijn, Mendez-Laing, Yates, Jackson. Subs: Blackett-Taylor, Bradley, Brown, Chirewa, Collins, Harness, Phillips, Vickers, Wilson. Injured: Barkhuizen, Thompson, Ozoh, Rooney. Betting Odds: Sunderland 8/13 Derby 17/4 Draw 14/5 Prutton Predicts: meh My two pence: After another loss on the road, we need another good team performance to bounce back with a home win. Derby started well with 3 wins from 4 but they have lost their last 2 league games. They were unlucky with a few controversial decisions by the officials against Norwich but that's life in the Championship. I’m going for a 2-0 home win. Live Stream: https://www.safc.com/live Available on Sky Sports+ Ha’way the Lads
Great chance to bounce back, first time driving to a game in years, is it still free to park along the front by the Wolsey?
Dust ourselves down and go again, mistakes happen and hope the lads are on it tomorrow, home win of we are.
I’d be really disappointed not to get 3 points here We’re yet to concede at home and I’m hoping for another clean sheet. 1-0 to the lads
Would’ve been making changes for this one but feel there’s a lack of quality on the bench. Desperate for Browne back.
Cheers RTB, as always a cracker. I think we can get at Derby. We need to be really on the front foot in terms of possession. It is a chance to play out from the back more as well as I expect them sit deeper than Boro would. There back line is quite solid and in Nelson and Cashin they have two centre back who love defending balls into the box. We need to be canny and try and play between the two of them. Not many down here confident at all. They are bemoaning a like of a decent striker. What Derby do give is 100% effort and commitment. They wont roll over at all and will go to the very end. All that said if we start the game properly and with the right tactical approach I would hope our better individual quality will shine through over the 90.
I would like to see more of Watson. Thought he was a real bright spark on Saturday. Mundle in the way though so will have to be patient.
Like to see up bounce back with a couple of wins this week. Derby are decent, but away from has been poor. I'd go with same starting 11, hopefully Mayenda, Ballard and Browne can add a bit of depth to the bench.
I'd imagine there will be more 20 min cameos to come in the next few months before he gets his first start. Looks a real talent
Are they? I’d be gutted if we weren’t beat this side at home like. Poor please log in to view this image
Not sure what that graphic is supposed to be telling us, but Derby are ok and won't be a pushover. They played well against Norwich and were robbed by the officials.
Just the starting XI from their last game, ignore the ratings. It’s a bang average side. We need to be beating sides like this, especially at home.
