Starting XI: Four Changes Predicted for Sunderland vs Spurs
Is this the team that will line up against Spurs?
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris during the Premier League match at St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Picture date: Sunday March 22, 2026. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images It’d usually be a bit odd to think of making a number of changes to a team that’s just beaten their rivals 2-1 away from home, but three weeks and a number of players coming back from injury means Regis Le Bris will almost be starting from stratch with team selection today.
It’ll be nice to be back in action after such a long break, and hopefully we’ll be able to finish the season strongly to set us up nicely for the summer. Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs Young Ellborg’s done OK in goal in Roefs’ absence, but he’s very raw and doesn’t give you the reassurance Roefs does at the back. By all accounts our Dutch keeper is recovered from the injury he sustained at Bournemouth, and will be back between the sticks today.
Defence: Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Geertruida had his best game for us last time out, but with Reinildo available again I think we’ll see him come straight back into the side, and Trai Hume move back to his usual right back spot. In the centre of defence, Dan Ballard is still out, so Nordi Mukiele will likely come back in to partner Omar Alderete, with Luke O’Nien dropping back to the bench after his eventful run out north of the Tyne. Midfield: Chris Rigg, Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi We’ve got a decent amount of competition in midfield, and I think we might see Habib Diarra used from the bench today as other players have staked a better claim for a starting berth recently.
Xhaka will play as long as he’s not suffering any ill effects from international duty, while Talbi and Rigg should keep their places after excellent displays in the derby. Le Fee plays if he’s fit, and then it’s a choice between Sadiki and Diarra, which Sadiki wins hands down at present. I like Diarra, and think he’ll be an excellent player for us in time, but it might be next season when we really see him hit his stride.