Sunderland vs Brentford – News and Probable Lineups

Sunderland will temporarily set aside their fight for survival in the Premier League as they host Brentford at the Stadium of Light for a clash in the EFL Cup fourth round this Wednesday.

The Black Cats and the Bees square off just over seven weeks after their previous encounter, which ended in a 1-1 draw in the top flight at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Match overview

Currently, Sunderland occupies the last position in the Premier League standings after eight matches, having managed to secure only five points. However, they recently halted a four-match losing streak on Sunday by earning a point from a goalless draw against Leeds at home.

Post-match, Regis Le Bris commended his squad’s intensity and unity, emphasizing that their most commendable trait was the way they played as a genuine Sunderland team, also managing to achieve their first clean sheet in the top flight since August.

In terms of points, Sunderland has gathered nine points fewer than they did at this stage last season, marking the largest decline among all clubs after eight games. Le Bris has urged his team to ’embrace the new challenge’ of balancing both league and cup commitments alongside their Europa League journey.

While crucial matches against Coventry City, Dinamo Zagreb, and Chelsea lie ahead for Sunderland, their immediate focus must shift toward the EFL Cup as they aim to reach the fifth round for the first time since the 2021-22 season, when they made it to the quarter-finals.

As two-time EFL Cup finalists (1985 and 2014), Sunderland narrowly defeated Hull City 1-0 in the third round last month. They also emerged victorious against Brentford 2-1 in their previous home Premier League meeting back in August of last year, thanks to late goals from Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor that secured a thrilling comeback.

After experiencing their initial Premier League loss of the season at home to Liverpool, Brentford managed to pick up a point by coming back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with newly promoted Hull City on Sunday – marking their fifth draw in eight matches this season.

Even though the Bees remain in a commendable sixth position in the league, they are determined to turn their single points into full victories. Head coach Keith Andrews is focused on improving upon their ninth-place finish from last season.

The EFL Cup holds significant importance for Brentford, as they have advanced past the fourth round in four of the last six years, reaching consecutive quarter-finals over the last two seasons and even making it to the semi-finals in 2020-21.

Brentford comfortably triumphed with a 6-1 win away to Birmingham City in round two at the end of August, followed by a narrow 2-1 victory over League One side Reading in the third round last month, despite a late challenge from their opponents.

As they prepare to face Sunderland on Wednesday, Brentford heads into the fixture with only one loss in their last eight meetings against the Black Cats across all competitions (W4 D3). They have also won two of the last three cup encounters, including a thrilling 4-3 victory in the second round of the inaugural EFL Cup back in the 1960-61 season.

Team News

Sunderland continues to face challenges with the absence of Daniel Ballard (hamstring), Romaine Mundle (knee), and Kevin Danso (suspended), while Thomas Meunier (hamstring) and Wilson Isidor (unspecified) are also doubtful for the match.

Le Bris confirmed that Nordi Mukiele sustained no injury after being substituted just seven minutes into the second half against Leeds. Therefore, he has the option to either remain in the center-back position or transition to the right side of a four-man defence.

Brian Brobbey has returned from a hamstring issue to start and play 65 minutes against Leeds. Another start on Wednesday isn’t out of the question, but Le Bris may opt to manage his minutes and allow Timur Tutierov to take on the central forward position instead.

As for Brentford, they are still without Antoni Milambo (knock), Joshua Dasilva (hamstring), and Kaye Furo (foot), while Yehor Yarmoluyk is serving the second match of a three-game suspension.

However, Vitaly Janelt is eligible to return from a one-match ban and could replace Aaron Hickey, who played unexpectedly in a midfield role against Hull and may switch back to a more familiar right-back position.

Fabio Carvalho netted in the previous round against Reading and is eager to play on Wednesday after missing last weekend’s squad entirely. Former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, who also scored against Reading, alongside Mikkel Damsgaard, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and Nathan Collins could also be in line for starting positions.

Sunderland probable starting XI:

Ellborg; Mukiele, O’Nien, Alderete, Methalie; Ahoka, Rigg; Fofana, Diarra, Angulo; Tutyerov

Brentford probable starting XI:

Valdimarsson; Hickey, Schuster, Collins, Diouf; Singer, Janelt; Anthony, Carvalho, Damsgaard; Wilson

Given that both managers are likely to make significant changes to their lineups in the North East, the playing field could be more level in this EFL Cup fixture, which holds varied importance for each club this season.

While a fatigued Sunderland side is currently grappling with a Premier League relegation battle alongside their European commitments, a strong Brentford team is determined to take this competition seriously and is expected to field a sufficient side to navigate past an out-of-sorts Black Cats team, ensuring their progress to the fifth round.