Expect Sunderland to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1, with Le Bris favouring a double pivot to shield the back four. The return of Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete and Meunier from minor knocks is a huge boost — that back line suddenly looks solid. Granit Xhaka will pull the strings in midfield, dictating tempo and breaking up play, while Nilson Angulo and Noah Sadiki provide the legs and creativity in the wide areas. The absence of Simon Adingra is a blow, but this squad has depth.

Fulham will likely mirror the 4-2-3-1 shape, with Bernd Leno in goal and a back four of Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey and Robinson. Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi will sit deep, but that leaves gaps between the lines — gaps Sunderland can exploit. Oscar Bobb and César Palacios offer flair, but they can be isolated if the midfield gets overrun. The key battle will be in the middle of the park: Xhaka versus Berge. Whoever wins that dogfight controls the game. Fulham’s set-piece vulnerability was exposed against Chelsea, and Sunderland have the aerial threats to punish them from corners.