Sunderland host QPR on the final day hoping to secure a much-needed win ahead of their Championship play-off run.
Sunderland have enjoyed a largely positive first season under Regis Le Bris. The Frenchman has been a breath of fresh air for SAFC, keeping the club in the top six all season.
However, despite the excitement of securing a play-off spot with weeks to spare, the Black Cats are currently enduring a worrying run of form, having lost four consecutive matches. Swansea City, Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers, and Oxford United have all defeated the North East outfit.
Sunderland have also scored just once during that run of game. In fact, they have found the net only four times in their last nine games, casting doubt over their promotion hopes and positioning them as outsiders based on current form.
The Black Cats have been heavily rotating their side, in fairness to Le Bris. However, they will not have expected the results to have been as poor as they have been.
Even so, Le Bris will see the upcoming fixture as a key chance for his side to regain momentum. QPR have lost their last two games, including a 5-0 defeat at home to Burnley last time out.
Sunderland team news
Le Bris has confirmed that defender Dan Ballard is available for this weekend’s game, making for a huge boost for Sunderland ahead of their play-off campaign.
Ballard has been out since February 22nd when he went off against Hull City. He picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat but has trained all week ahead of the game.
Romaine Mundle has also returned to training this week, but he will not be risked this weekend. SAFC boss Le Bris wants him in the best shape possible ahead of the play-offs, and the same goes for Aji Alese.
Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins have all taken part in full training across this week. Seelt will be part of the squad for QPR but Huggins is unlikely to take part.
Eliezer Mayenda is fit to return after missing the defeat to Oxford United.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3)
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham, Le Fee; Roberts, Isidor, Mayenda
Le Bris is expected to go to a full-strength side ahead of the play-offs. Sunderland talent Mayenda comes back into the side alongside Dennis Cirkin.
Cirkin replace Leo Hjelde in the starting XI. He made his return from injury in the defeat to Oxford, coming on in the second-half.
Mayenda comes in for Chris Rigg and goes into the front three alongside Wilson Isidor. Mayenda’s return allows Enzo Le Fee to move to a central position and gives SAFC more flexibility.
