Starting XI: Will Regis Make Changes As We Attempt To Fell Forest?

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Head Coach Regis Le Bris during a Sunderland training session at the Academy of Light on April 15, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) | Sunderland AFC via Getty Images Sunday’s game at Villa was a strange affair on a number of levels, as we were the opposite of what we’ve been for much of the season – we started halves slowly, looked defensively shaky, and scored three goals away from home – and should have had four. It’ll be interesting therefore to see how we approach tonight’s game against a Forest team in need of three points to help avoid relegation.

Forest should be looking to come out and attack which may suit us to some extent – and with Dan Ballard fit again we should see at least one change to the starting XI… Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs While he wasn’t to blame for any of the goals we conceded last weekend, he’ll be disappointed to have let in four in a single game, and will be looking to get back to normality today with a clean sheet. Defence: Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Trai Hume I thought Luke O’Nien struggled last weekend against a good striker in form, and with Ballard proving his fitness with his appearance at Villa he should come back into the team. The other change I expect to see is Hume in for Reinildo.

While Reinildo has been excellent for large parts of the season I thought he was really off it at Villa, and with Hume breathing down his neck it’d be no surprise to see Hume come in at left back. Midfield: Chris Rigg, Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee Same again in midfield for me tonight – Rigg has looked good on the right hand side and creates space for Mukiele to attack. I’ve seen calls for Diarra to be dropped after his late miss last weekend – I think he’s had three good games for us in the past three Premier League outings, and his miss (or great save, according to Villa fans) could actually means he definitely plays – I think Le Bris will know the damage to confidence that would come by dropping him tonight.

I’d love to get Le Fee in more centrally but I don’t see how that’s possible at present, so he’ll start on the left again. Forward: Brian Brobbey Brobbey will start up front, and he’ll be looking to be a bit more of a goalscoring threat tonight after a quiet game at Villa.