Romaine Mundle to get first start: Predicted Sunderland line-up vs Birmingham

Sunderland need to bounce back following the abject performance at Huddersfield in midweek, and they will get the chance to respond immediately against Birmingham City.

What team Michael Beale picks to do it is something of a mystery, though. He’s a bit of a loose cannon when it comes to setting his teams up, as we saw at The John Smith’s Stadium.

Let’s have a go at predicting what he will do anyway, though.

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Birmingham (4-3-3)

GK: Anthony Patterson – Took some flack for this contribution to the Huddersfield goal, but the reality is there is no one in the squad putting his place under any pressure at all.

RB: Trai Hume – Arguably the only Sunderland player to come out away from Huddersfield with any real credit.

CB: Luke O’Nien © - Picked up a yellow card in midweek, meaning both regular centre backs are just one away from a two-game suspension. Remains a crucial player, though.

CB: Dan Ballard – His performance levels have dropped off a little of late but still far too good to leave out.

LB: Leo Hjelde – Got substituted off quite early against Huddersfield, but that seemed quite harsh.

CM: Dan Neil – Surely too good to drop or rest nowadays?

CM: Pierre Ekwah – You get the feeling either Jobe Bellingham or Ekwah will be rested for this one, and Ekwah’s left foot will probably give him the edge to start.

RW: Romaine Mundle – There surely can’t be any more of this nonsense with not playing anyone on the righthand side? The injury to Patrick Roberts may give Mundle his chance to shine. Also, Beale might want a player that Tony Mowbray doesn't know in his attack as a wild card. 

AM: Abdoullah Ba – I’m not sure anyone other than Beale and Ba himself think he’s suited to that central role, but you get the sense they intend to persist with it.

LW: Jack Clarke – Obviously.

CF: Nazariy Rusyn – You have to persist with him, right?    

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