Mike Dodds has made a prediction ahead of Sunderland’s reunion with two of their former players this weekend.
Sunderland are set to travel to The Hawthorns this weekend as they look to do the double over West Brom.
The Black Cats managed to claim consecutive wins over the Baggies and Leeds United during Mike Dodds‘ previous spell in charge, and will be hoping to remain unbeaten against both teams after holding the Whites to a 0-0 draw midweek.
The visitors could well stick to the same formation and tactics going into another tough fixture, while West Brom may look to freshen things up as they look to extend their ten-game unbeaten run.
Sunderland could be set to reunite with two of their former players on their trip to the Midlands, with Yann M’Vila and Josh Maja currently plying their trade at The Hawthorns.
M’Vila had been linked with a move back to the Stadium of Light this year but eventually joined the Baggies, making his first start against Rotherham United earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Josh Maja has managed only one start since joining the club permanently in the summer.
West Brom duo tipped for a place on the bench
Dodds has now discussed the reunion and isn’t concerned that either player will be handed a place in their starting line-up.
Speaking in today’s press conference, the interim coach said: “I think they’ll both be involved. I’d be surprised if they both start.
“I think Josh has been out since he played us last time and has been out so I wish him well, not on Saturday but I wish he gets back on the grass as soon as possible.
“Yann M’Vila, it was his first start the other night so I’d be very surprised if he goes back to back in a week. My gut is they won’t feature from the start.”
A guaranteed winner for Maja or M’Vila
Sunderland have a tendency to concede goals to their former players – such as Connor Wickham, Nathan Broadhead and Sam Greenwood, to name a few.
Given how poorly Josh Maja has done since leaving us – bar his time in the French second division – it would be particularly shameful if we managed to let him put one past us.
But Yann M’Vila, on the other hand, would be utterly heartbreaking.
It will be hard enough to see him in a West Brom shirt, but to see him do anything positive or admirable will really hurt the entire fanbase.
I honestly think he could have completely turned our season around if we had signed him earlier this year, but we will never know.
Hopefully he doesn’t start or come on at all, so we can try and forget that he even plays for the Baggies.