Sunderland Predicted Starting XI For SCU Torreense Europa League Clash

Sunderland travel to Portuguese second division side SCU Torreense on Thursday afternoon for their first Europa League trip of the season, and the Black Cats' first European away day in over five decades.

Regis Le Bris' side head into the Europa League clash on the back of a three-game losing streak in the Premier League, with defeats to Arsenal and Manchester City prior to the international break and last weekend's 2-0 loss at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Brighton beat Sunderland courtesy of goals from Maxim De Cuyper and substitute Jaouen Hadjam, in what was a deflating and worrying defeat for the Black Cats, with the disappointment of the display heightened by the fact that Fabian Hurzeler's side played out the last third of the game with ten men after Pascal Struijk's dismissal.

However, on a more positive note, Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in their Europa League bow back in September with a stellar Stadium of Light victory over the Eredivisie leaders, priming Le Bris' side to make it two from two against Torreense.

Given the abject performance against Brighton, it will be interesting to see how Le Bris lines Sunderland up in the Torreense clash, and there will certainly be some changes to his starting XI.

Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Methalie, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Fofana, Rigg, Isidor

Le Bris played a near full-strength Sunderland side for the last Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar, but seeing the likes of Brian Brobbey, Thomas Meunier and Dan Ballard rested, despite the latter coming on as a second-half substitute in place of Omar Alderete.

On Thursday, Alderete could have the chance to kickstart his Sunderland season after returning to full fitness after nursing an injury from pre-season, potentially to replace Kevin Danso after his shaky performance against the Seagulls.

Also in defence, Dayann Methalie could be offered some crucial developmental minutes, with his attacking profile beneficial as Sunderland look to break down the low block of Torreense.

With Meunier withdrawn in the first half against Brighton due to a hamstring concern, the right midfield role is open for Sunderland, with several candidates including trademark full-back Trai Hume, and possibly the likes of Chris Rigg, who deserves just his second start of the season.

Given the importance for Sunderland victory given the current context of the season, it is pertintent for Le Bris to employ standout midfield trio Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee and metronome Granit Xhaka, to ensure three points come back to Wearside.

At left-wing, however, there is competition between Malick Fofana and Nilson Angulo, who have both failed to impress in attack over recent weeks, with the centre-forward role set to be occupied by Wilson Isidor once again amid the injury to Brobbey.

Regardless of the team Le Bris fields, nothing less than a comfortable win is acceptable for Sunderland to get their faltering campaign back on a winning run.

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