The Black Cats are 12 points shy of last season’s tally at the same stage, having scored four fewer goals and conceded ten more.

While many of their metrics are comparable to last season, Regis Le Bris’s team have been affected by individual errors, with three of their players having made mistakes that twice led to goals.

Le Bris, who joined the Wearsiders from French club Lorient in 2024, has maintained a consistent line-up from last season despite plenty of investment over recent transfer windows.

Nine of Sunderland’s starters in the 3-0 loss to Coventry last weekend began the match in May at Stamford Bridge that clinched their first European foray since 1973 at Chelsea’s expense.

The Frenchman has handled Sunderland’s busy schedule by making substantial changes in cup games at home and abroad.

The workload may also explain a more measured approach to high pressing – they have not scored from a high turnover this season.

The manager will be forced into at least one change in central defence, as Luke O’Nien’s partner Omar Alderete is suspended after receiving a second yellow card in the last minute at Coventry.

Le Bris has stuck with the midfield pivot of Granit Xhaka, now 34, and Noah Sadiki, and often prefers full-backs such as Trai Hume or Thomas Meunier on the wings over the likes of summer signings Jocelin Ta Bi and Malick Fofana.

Lone striker and leading marksman Brian Brobbey has accounted for three of Sunderland’s seven league goals, one ahead of No.10 Enzo Le Fee.

Centre-back Dan Ballard, midfielder Habib Diarra and winger Romaine Mundle are injured, but left-back Nordi Mukiele and teenage striker Juan Riquelme Angulo could return to readiness.