Sunderland are expected to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1, with Roefs in goal, a back four of Meunier, O'Nien, Ballard, and Reinildo, and a double pivot of Xhaka and Sadiki. That's a midfield that can control the tempo. Hume and Angulo will provide width, with Le Fée pulling the strings in the hole, and Brobbey leading the line. Le Bris likes his full-backs high, and with Xhaka sitting deep, they can overload the wide areas. The Stadium of Light will be a cauldron, and Sunderland will look to press Fulham high from the first whistle.

Fulham, under Marco Silva, are expected to stick with their 4-2-3-1, with Leno in goal, Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, and Robinson at the back, and Berge and Iwobi as the double pivot. Bobb, Palacios, and King will support García up top. But without Andersen, their back line lacks that commanding presence. They'll likely sit in a mid-block, try to frustrate Sunderland, and hit on the counter through Bobb's pace. The problem is, Sunderland's press is aggressive, and if Fulham can't play out from the back, they'll be forced into long balls — and that plays right into Ballard and O'Nien's hands.