Ba and Burstow to keep their places? Predicted Sunderland line-up vs Plymouth

Sunderland welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Stadium of Light this weekend, and it feels like there is a fair amount riding on it.

The win against Stoke felt like a relief, the draw against Middlesbrough steadying the ship. A win against Plymouth, therefore, would put Sunderland on a good run with momentum. Fail to win it, and pressure will likely start building again.

That all means that Michael Beale has some decisions to make in forward areas. The defence and midfield probably just about picks itself at this point, and obviously Jack Clarke does too.

Who's the referee for Sunderland vs Plymouth?

What about the other two positions, though? Stick with Abdoullah Ba and Mason Burstow? Bring back Patrick Roberts? Start Nazariy Rusyn? Perhaps even give Luis Hemir a chance?

Let’s try to have a go at predicting what side Beale will pick.

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Plymouth (4-3-3)

GK: Anthony Patterson: One of the ‘if he’s available, he starts’ players.

RB: Trai Hume: Hume reverted to his preferred role of right-back against Middlesbrough and, more than anyone, seemed to relish the new instructions to rain crosses into the box.

CB: Luke O’Nien: Another fine performance at Middlesbrough and surely now even making his most ardent of doubters consider a rethink.

CB: Dan Ballard: Gave Sunderland a bit of an injury scare late on at the Riverside but expected to be available to play.

LB: Leo Hjelde: Impressed on debut last week and did more than enough to keep his place at left-back.

CM: Pierre Ekwah: Looking much more at home in a central midfield three and provides lovely natural balance to it with that cultured left foot of his.

CM: Dan Neil: Far from his best at Middlesbrough but much too good to take out of the side.

CM: Jobe Bellingham: Looks like he needs a rest and, if I was making the decisions, I would probably give him it. However, since we’re predicting what Beale will do here, you have to expect Jobe to be in the starting line-up.

RW: Abdoullah Ba: Roberts and Romaine Mundle are available and options, but just have a sneaky feeling Beale will stick with Ba for this one.

CF: Mason Burstow: Again, if I was picking the team, I’d start Nazariy Rusyn. I thought Beale would too right up until his press conference this week when Beale was asked about Rusyn and said: “In the next three games, you're certainly going to be seeing Rusyn playing.” That suggested that maybe he will stick with Burstow for a penalty box presence this time and look to Rusyn in the upcoming away games.

LW: Jack Clarke: No explanation necessary.

Who's the referee for Sunderland vs Plymouth?

Sunderland predicted line-up vs Plymouth (4-3-3)

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