Chris Rigg axed as Le Bris makes Isidor decision – Sunderland predicted XI v Coventry
Sunderland are now just days away from a massive playoff encounter with Coventry City.
Regis Le Bris’ side enter the clash against the Sky Blues with negative momentum, having tasted defeat in all of their last five Championship encounters, scoring in just one of their last six.
Not to mention, Sunderland’s record against Coventry is woeful, with their last victory against them coming over 18 years ago, and their last away victory 40 years ago.
With that in mind, Le Bris will have some difficult decisions to make when it comes to his team selection as the Wearsiders look to place one foot in the playoff final at Wembley at the end of the month.
Sunderland will go full-strength against Coventry
Since sealing their spot in the playoffs, Le Bris has opted to rotate quite heavily, though as the end of the season approached, we started to get a clear idea of what the side will look like for the playoffs.
Anthony Patterson will remain in goal, having done so throughout the course of the season, and Sunderland could stick with the same backline that conceded once against QPR.
| Head-to-head | W | D | L |
| Sunderland | 12 | 18 | 18 |
| Coventry | 18 | 18 | 12 |
Trai Hume has been exceptional on the right of defence and should keep his place, with Dennis Cirkin starting on the opposite side.
A centre-back partnership between Chris Mepham and Luke O’Nien is to be expected, but with Dan Ballard back from injury, Le Bris has options.
Dan Neil could captain his side at the CBS Arena, with Jobe Bellingham playing alongside him after being named the Championship Young Player of the Season.
One change could see Chris Rigg drop to the bench, and Enzo Le Fee take up his preferred position in the middle of the pitch, with Eliezer Mayenda starting out wide.
Patrick Roberts could keep his place on the opposite flank, with Wilson Isidor brought back into the starting 11, with hopes of getting back on the score sheet.