Before the Sunderland vs Fulham Premier League match at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, February 22, recent team and injury updates are available. Sunderland recently lost their unbeaten home record against Liverpool but a win today will bring them closer to their goal of 40 points for the season. Fulham is currently trailing two spots and two points behind, having lost their last three league matches.
Sunderland vs Fulham: Latest Team News and Predicted Lineups
Sunderland Team and Injury News
In positive news for Sunderland, captain Granit Xhaka is back from injury. He has missed several matches, and his absence has been felt by the team. Xhaka has been training all week and may return to the starting lineup. If he plays, record signing Habib Diarra might be rested after a busy schedule following his own recovery from injury.
Additionally, fullback Reinildo will be unavailable for about three weeks due to a knee injury, with Denis Cirkin likely to take his place. Winger Bertrand Traore remains out due to an injury sustained during international duty at AFCON, but he is expected to resume training next week.
Omar Alderete is anticipated to play after missing the FA Cup match against Oxford United due to a minor foot injury.
Fulham Team and Injury News
Fulham will be without Samuel Chukwueze, who is sidelined with a calf injury. There are questions about the availability of Saša Lukić and Tom Cairney, both of whom have been absent recently. Marco Silva suggested that one of them might play at the Stadium of Light. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure a win against Sunderland, noting the solid performance they had in their previous encounter at home.
“We need to perform at our best,” he stated. “Sunderland is a tough opponent, and we have to be prepared for a challenging game in their stadium. Our goal is to display our skills in such environments.”
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
Roefs
Mukiele
Alderete
Ballard
Cirkin
Xhaka
Sadiki
Le Fee
Hume
Mundle
Brobbey
Subs: Ellborg, O’Nien, Geertruida, Isidor, Mayenda, Rigg, Talbi, Angulo, Ta Bi
Fulham Predicted Lineup
Leno
Castagne
Andersen
Bassey
Sessegnon
Iwobi
Berge
Wilson
Smith Rowe
Kevin
Jimenez
Subs: Lecomte, Reed, Cairney/Lukic, Robinson, Bobb, Rodrigo, Cuenca, King, Tete