Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris faces key selection decisions ahead of the crucial Championship clash against Oxford United. In their recent midweek match against Luton Town, Le Bris made a surprising only change to the squad, raising eyebrows and sparking discussions among fans. With potential lineup adjustments on the horizon, all eyes will be on how he shapes his team for this important encounter.
Le Bris made a bold move by dropping Patrick Roberts, shifting Chris Rigg to the right flank, and pairing Alan Browne with Jobe Bellingham in midfield, while Dan Neil took a more defensive role. This tactical shake-up paid off, as Neil not only delivered a solid performance against Luton Town but also provided the crucial assist for Romaine Mundle’s winning goal in Sunderland’s 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road. Rigg also made an impact, scoring in his new right-sided role, contributing to Sunderland’s strong performance as they maintain their position at the top of the Championship table heading into the weekend.
Sunderland fans are anxiously awaiting news on Dan Ballard’s recovery, but manager Regis Le Bris confirmed in a press conference on Thursday that he still cannot provide the all-clear. Both Ballard and striker Eliezer Mayenda will miss this weekend’s match, and no return date has been set for either player.In addition to Ballard and Mayenda, Sunderland will also be without Jenson Seelt, Aji Alese, Niall Huggins, Ian Poveda, Salis Abdul Samed, and Ahmed Abdullahi as they face another challenge with a depleted squad. The team will need to rally together as they navigate these injury setbacks.
As Sunderland prepares to face Oxford United at the Stadium of Light this weekend, manager Regis Le Bris finds himself in a midfield dilemma. His tactical adjustments against Luton Town were designed to counter the Hatter’s physicality, introducing Jobe Bellingham and Alan Browne to add some grit to the midfield. However, given that Oxford is a more technical side, Le Bris might consider reverting to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.This shift could allow Sunderland to better utilize their attacking strengths, creating a more fluid and dynamic midfield setup. Fans will be eager to see if Le Bris opts for a more attacking approach or sticks with the robust midfield he deployed last time out.
Ahead of the clash with Oxford United, manager Regis Le Bris remains uncertain about whether Patrick Roberts will start, indicating a possibility of Chris Rigg being deployed out wide once again. In attack, Wilson Isidor is likely to retain his position up front, while Aaron Connolly is expected to make another impact off the bench for Sunderland.Defensively, Le Bris may opt for an unchanged backline, despite Trai Hume, Rigg, and Jobe Bellingham all being just one yellow card away from suspension. This cautious approach reflects the need to maintain stability while navigating potential disciplinary issues.Here’s how we predict Sunderland will line up against Oxford United this weekend:Predicted Sunderland XI vs. Oxford United:Formation: 4-2-3-1Goalkeeper: Anthony PattersonDefenders: Trai Hume, Danny Batth, Luke O’Nien, Dennis CirkinMidfielders: Dan Neil, Alan BrowneAttacking Midfielders: Chris Rigg, Jobe Bellingham, Wilson IsidorForward: Wilson IsidorThis lineup balances the need for technical ability and physical presence as Sunderland looks to secure another victory.