Here is our predicted starting line-up as Sunderland host Blackburn Rovers.
Sunderland are on the hunt for back-to-back wins for the first time since December after claiming a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cardiff City.
The Black Cats looked back to their best as Jobe Bellingham speared the attack, putting on a magnificent performance and netting his seventh goal of the campaign.
It leaves Mike Dodds‘ side two points below eleventh place, meaning a win over Blackburn could see them climb up the table for the first time in seven weeks.
Meanwhile, Blackburn sit three points above the relegation zone after failing to win in their last nine games in the Championship, while they have claimed only three points on the road since November.
Sunderland will be confident that they can pick up where they left off this afternoon, while fans will have high expectations after only a few days since their last game.
Here is our predicted XI ahead of the clash…
Sunderland predicted XI
Anthony Patterson kept a second consecutive clean sheet on Good Friday, making a total seven saves across both games against QPR and Cardiff. Unsurprisingly, the goalkeeper keeps his place in the squad.
Trai Hume ‘didn’t put a foot wrong’ against Cardiff and will be looking to do the same today, shortly after rumours emerged linking him with a move to the Premier League.
Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien continue in the heart of defence, while Callum Styles starts on the left after a much-improved performance last time out.
Pierre Ekwah and Dan Neil keep their places in midfield, while Adil Aouchiche has earned himself another start after bagging a goal and an assist.
Corry Evans will be hoping to make his first start in over a year, however it will be hard for Dodds to drop any of his midfield trio after Friday’s display.
Chris Rigg continues his wide role after another promising performance, while we could see Patrick Roberts return from injury in place for Abdoullah Ba.
The Frenchman didn’t do much wrong against the Bluebirds, but he is far from the attacking ‘magician’ that Roberts is, and while the latter hasn’t scored this term, we have certainly missed his threat out wide.
Jobe Bellingham looked like exactly what we had been missing in that number nine role and will undoubtedly play there again against Blackburn.