View: Chris Rigg benched, Anthony Patterson misses out – Sunderland predicted lineup v QPR
Regis Le Bris could rest Chris Rigg when his Sunderland side travel to face QPR on Saturday, 2 November.
The Black Cats enter the encounter having won their previous three fixtures leading to a five-point gap at the top of the Championship.
As the schedule heats up, Le Bris could start making changes to his side in an attempt to maintain sharpness and Rigg may be one player who misses out as a result.
Sunderland could make it four wins in a row
A five-point gap between the Black Cats and second place isn’t something many on Wearside would have expected but they certainly deserve to be there. A string of impressive results have demonstrated Sunderland’s promotion credentials.
Sunderland’s win against Oxford was their third in just six days as the festive period begins to take its hold on the Championship and Le Bris may be forced into tactical changes to keep up with the intensity.
As for the Sunderland backline, it will be more of the same.
Simon Moore is expected to keep his place in the Sunderland goal with Anthony Patterson potentially missing out with an injury that also ruled him out of the Oxford encounter.
Moore, albeit largely untested, was able to maintain a clean sheet on his debut and lauded the atmosphere at the club after the game.
A backline of Trai Hume, Luke O’Nien Chris Mepham and Dennis Cirkin is all but nailed on as the Black Cats continue to showcase their defensive prowess.
One change that could be made is in the midfield. Rigg has been exceptional this season and his form has attracted interest from Arsenal. Sunderland have to be careful with the youngster and ensure he doesn’t face burn out and QPR could be the perfect time to give him a rest.
Alan Browne would be the likely replacement in midfield.
Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil will likely keep their place in the team, the latter enjoying life as Sunderland’s captain.
Romaine Mundle has been a star player for the Black Cats and although his recent performance against Oxford certainly wasn’t his best, he will keep his place against a QPR side who have had a troubled start to the campaign.
Patrick Roberts is another player who has had a frustrating run of form in terms of registering goal contributions but his ability to stretch defences will be key on Saturday.
As for the striker role, Wilson Isidor has been a revelation on Wearside.
The Frenchman has four goals in six starts and his goal against Oxford even wowed Des Buckingham. Eliezer Mayenda has an outside chance of featuring in the squad although Isidor’s place in the starting 11 is almost nailed on.
In other Sunderland news, Julio Arca has spoken about how Dan Neil has adapted to the pressure of being named team captain.
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