Sunderland v QPR: Fourteen players now ruled out of Stadium of Light clash
Sunderland host Queens Park Rangers at the Stadium of Light on the final day of the Championship season on Saturday.
Regis Le Bris’ men have already secured their playoff spot, but are on a woeful run of form, having lost each of their last four fixtures.
Meanwhile, QPR head to the Stadium of Light amid turbulent times, as boss Marti Cifuentes has been placed on gardening leave thanks to questions surrounding his future.
Sunderland will be keen to head into the playoffs with momentum behind them by beating the West London outfit this weekend.
Romaine Mundle one of 14 missing as Sunderland host QPR
The Black Cats’ last Championship encounter of the regular season is set to come amid a backdrop of fitness issues.
| Opponent | Result |
| Bristol City (A) | 2-1 L |
| Blackburn (H) | 0-1 L |
| Oxford (A) | 2-0 L |
Le Bris is missing the services of Niall Huggins, Aji Alese, Jayden Danns, Ian Poveda, Ahmed Abdullahi and Romaine Mundle through injury, while Eliezer Mayenda is a doubt.
Meanwhile, QPR will have to cope without Jake Clarke-Salter, Harvey Vale, Zan Celar, Koki Saito, Sam Field and Alfie Lloyd due to fitness concerns, whereas Steve Cook is a doubt and Paul Smyth is suspended – a total of 14 absentees for the two teams combined.
Sunderland should beat QPR
Even though they have already secured their top-six spot, Sunderland cannot hide from the fact that they have not won since their 1-0 win at West Brom on 5 April.
The Black Cats’ top-six rivals will be pleased that Le Bris’ men are currently heading into the playoffs with a serious lack of momentum behind them.
But Sunderland should have what it takes to beat a QPR side who are set to head to the North East without boss Cifuentes, while they have lost each of their last two games.
Last time out, the Loftus Road club were hammered 5-0 by Burnley and will consequently head to the Stadium of Light with a lack of confidence.
The Black Cats must use that as an opportunity to get themselves back on form before they head into the playoffs, where they are set to compete for a spot in next season’s Premier League.