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Preview: Liverpool host highflying Sunderland

Preview: Liverpool host highflying Sunderland

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At the start of the season, few would’ve imagined Sunderland would be ahead of Liverpool when the two teams met in early December, but the Black Cats are one point clear of the champions ahead of their clash at the Anfield. 

By Sam McGuire

The story so far

Sunderland are enjoying their return to the Premier League. Régis Le Bris has guided his side to six wins and four draws across their opening 13 matches. They sit sixth in the English top-flight, just three points behind second-placed Manchester City. 

The Black Cats have beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and held runaway leaders Arsenal to a draw. They brought a three game winless streak to an end on Sunday, coming from 2-0 down to defeat Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light. 

Table positions going in to the midweek round

In the Premier League, momentum really does matter. Across their next three fixtures, they have champions Liverpool, title hopefuls Manchester City and then have the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United. 

The next two are free hits in many ways. Few would’ve expected them to take points off of Liverpool or Manchester City. Head into those games with no fear and see what happens. A win in either of those games sets them up nicely for the clash against Newcastle, a game they’ll be desperate to avoid defeat in. 

Liverpool, meanwhile, started the season with five wins on the bounce as they looked to retain their title. However, they’ve won just two of the last eight and found themselves in eighth position at the start of this midweek round of games. An encouraging showing against West Ham United on Sunday, a game they won 2-0, won’t count for much if they can’t build off of it. 

To do that, a win on Wednesday against Sunderland is a must. Arne Slot’s side couldn’t build on the 2-0 win over Aston Villa a few weeks back.This can’t be another false dawn if the Reds have hopes of pushing for a top four finish.

Key Players 

For the Reds, the focus will be on Mohamed Salah. 

Left on the bench for the win over West Ham United, you can’t imagine the four-time Golden Boot winner will start on the sidelines on Wednesday. And he’ll return to the starting XI with a point to prove. The Reds picked up three points without him. He’ll want to make sure they pick up three points with him to quell any ideas the team have moved on from him, as bizarre as that sounds just a few months after a record-breaking individual Premier League campaign.

Granit Xhaka is our fourth best rated player in the Premier League

For the visitors, the main man is Granit Xhaka. Back in the Premier League following a stint in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, he’s been unbelievable for the Black Cats. He’s the top rated Sunderland player going off of average FotMob ratings, with a score of 7.54. The 33-year-old has four assists this term as well as a goal. 

Team News

Sunderland are without Leo Hjelde and Habib Diarra. Other than that, Le Bris has a full squad to pick from ahead of a busy festive period. 

The hosts are without both senior right-backs in Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. Giovanni Leoni is set to miss the entire season while Joe Gomez could be rested having played a full 90 minutes against West Ham.

Prediction 

We’re going to go with a 2-2 draw. Sunderland are a handful and Anfield doesn’t quite have the fear factor these days. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Liverpool host highflying Sunderland

At the start of the season, few would’ve imagined Sunderland would be ahead of Liverpool when the two teams met in early December, but the Black Cats are one point clear of the champions ahead of their clash at the Anfield. 

By Sam McGuire

The story so far

Sunderland are enjoying their return to the Premier League. Régis Le Bris has guided his side to six wins and four draws across their opening 13 matches. They sit sixth in the English top-flight, just three points behind second-placed Manchester City. 

The Black Cats have beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and held runaway leaders Arsenal to a draw. They brought a three game winless streak to an end on Sunday, coming from 2-0 down to defeat Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light. 

Table positions going in to the midweek round

In the Premier League, momentum really does matter. Across their next three fixtures, they have champions Liverpool, title hopefuls Manchester City and then have the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United. 

The next two are free hits in many ways. Few would’ve expected them to take points off of Liverpool or Manchester City. Head into those games with no fear and see what happens. A win in either of those games sets them up nicely for the clash against Newcastle, a game they’ll be desperate to avoid defeat in. 

Liverpool, meanwhile, started the season with five wins on the bounce as they looked to retain their title. However, they’ve won just two of the last eight and found themselves in eighth position at the start of this midweek round of games. An encouraging showing against West Ham United on Sunday, a game they won 2-0, won’t count for much if they can’t build off of it. 

To do that, a win on Wednesday against Sunderland is a must. Arne Slot’s side couldn’t build on the 2-0 win over Aston Villa a few weeks back.This can’t be another false dawn if the Reds have hopes of pushing for a top four finish.

Key Players 

For the Reds, the focus will be on Mohamed Salah. 

Left on the bench for the win over West Ham United, you can’t imagine the four-time Golden Boot winner will start on the sidelines on Wednesday. And he’ll return to the starting XI with a point to prove. The Reds picked up three points without him. He’ll want to make sure they pick up three points with him to quell any ideas the team have moved on from him, as bizarre as that sounds just a few months after a record-breaking individual Premier League campaign.

Granit Xhaka is our fourth best rated player in the Premier League

For the visitors, the main man is Granit Xhaka. Back in the Premier League following a stint in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, he’s been unbelievable for the Black Cats. He’s the top rated Sunderland player going off of average FotMob ratings, with a score of 7.54. The 33-year-old has four assists this term as well as a goal. 

Team News

Sunderland are without Leo Hjelde and Habib Diarra. Other than that, Le Bris has a full squad to pick from ahead of a busy festive period. 

The hosts are without both senior right-backs in Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. Giovanni Leoni is set to miss the entire season while Joe Gomez could be rested having played a full 90 minutes against West Ham.

Prediction 

We’re going to go with a 2-2 draw. Sunderland are a handful and Anfield doesn’t quite have the fear factor these days. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.