Sunderland entertain relegation-battling Wolves in a Premier League encounter at the Stadium of Light.
Victory could put Sunderland as high as fifth depending on results elsewhere – although if Everton beat Man City then the Black Cats would need to win by at least a three-goal margin to leapfrog the Toffees.
Team News
Sunderland expect Omar Alderete and Noah Sadiki to be available after the pair suffered muscle and ankle injuries respectively whilst on international duty.
Reinildo (suspension), Habib Diarra (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder), Leo Hjelde (Achilles), Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Dennis Cirkin (wrist) are still sidelined.
Wolves will be without Matt Doherty after the defended needed wrist surgery during the international break.
Toti Gomes, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (both illness) and Hee-Chan Hwang (unspecified) are set to be available.
Leon Chiwone remains absent with a knee injury.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Wolves at Stadium of Light on Saturday 18 October at 3pm BST, albeit untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland have won just one of their last six Premier League meetings against Wolves (W1, D1, L4).
- Wolves have avoided defeat in two of three previous Premier League visits to Sunderland (W1, D1, L1).
- Both Sunderland and Wolves scored in five of their six previous Premier League meetings.
- Wilson Isidor has scored in all three of Sunderland’s league games at home this season (W2, D1).
- Wolves have lost two of their three away games this season by 1-0 results (D1, L2).
Prediction
Getting a result away to Man Utd was always going to be a difficult ask given their poor away form at Old Trafford, but Sunderland were undone simply by a formation error, so I am expecting a return to their usual style under Regis Le Bris but he at least did act quickly to correct his mistake unlike some managers.
Wolves meanwhile seem to have began finding their feet within this league campaign after an awful start but to concede late equalisers from 1-0 up in their last two games is careless against Tottenham and Brighton, especially when they need wins if want to close in on their relegation rivals.
Sunderland’s home form though might just be the difference because Wolves are yet to claim an away win but Sunderland do know how to score late goals on their own turf, which could be crucial come full time if the visitors can’t score first or even again cling onto a 1-0 lead.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Wolves
Result: Sunderland 2-0 Wolves
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