Sunderland AFC Starting XI 2025/26: Predicted Lineup and Player Roles

As Sunderland AFC prepares for the final stretch of their 2025–26 Premier League campaign, the conversation among the Wearside faithful has naturally shifted toward the composition of the starting eleven. Having secured promotion via the Championship play-offs in the prior season, Régis Le Bris has forged a side that blends youthful exuberance with measured experience. The Black Cats are competing in the Premier League, a position that reflects both the promise and the growing pains of a squad still finding its top-flight identity. This article projects the most likely starting XI for the remainder of the season, based on form, tactical preferences, and the squad depth assembled through the January window.

Goalkeeper and Defensive Line: Stability Through Consistency

The goalkeeping position has been one of the more settled areas for Sunderland this season. Anthony Patterson, the 25-year-old academy graduate, has retained the number one jersey after a stellar Championship campaign. His shot-stopping metrics have translated reasonably well to the top flight, though distribution under pressure remains an area for refinement. Patterson’s command of the penalty area and his relationship with the back four have been key factors in Le Bris’s decision to resist rotating.

In front of Patterson, the central defensive partnership has evolved. Dan Ballard, the Northern Ireland international, has been a near-ever-present, his aggressive reading of the game compensating for occasional lapses in recovery pace. Alongside him, Luke O’Nien has transitioned from utility man to reliable centre-half, his leadership and communication vital in a young squad. The full-back positions offer contrasting profiles: Trai Hume on the right provides overlapping energy and a willingness to engage in duels, while Dennis Cirkin on the left offers a more measured, inverted option, tucking into midfield during build-up play. Le Bris has occasionally deployed Aji Alese at left-back for aerial dominance against physical wingers, but Cirkin’s technical security has made him the preferred choice in most fixtures.

Midfield Trio: Engine Room and Creative Hub

Sunderland’s midfield has undergone a tactical recalibration since promotion. The double pivot of Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah has become the foundation of the side’s approach. Neil, the academy product and now captain, operates as the deep-lying playmaker, dictating tempo and recycling possession. His passing range has improved markedly, with a particular emphasis on switching play to the flanks. Ekwah, the former West Ham prospect, provides the physical presence and progressive carries that allow Neil to operate without being overrun. The Frenchman’s ability to break lines with dribbles has been a valuable asset against Premier League presses.

The advanced midfield role has been a source of tactical flexibility. Jobe Bellingham, the 19-year-old brother of Jude, has started most matches as the number ten, his late runs into the box and willingness to engage in duels offering a direct threat. However, Le Bris has also used Adil Aouchiche in this role when seeking more technical control and set-piece delivery. Bellingham’s physical development has been notable, but his decision-making in the final third remains inconsistent—a natural trait for a player still in his developmental phase.

Attacking Trio: Pace, Power, and the Search for Goals

The forward line has been the most discussed area among supporters, and for good reason. Jack Clarke, the talismanic winger, has carried much of the attacking burden. His dribbling statistics rank among the highest in the squad, and his ability to cut inside from the left has produced several crucial goals. Clarke’s form has attracted reported interest from larger clubs, but his commitment to the cause has been unwavering. On the right, Patrick Roberts has been a more mercurial presence. His close control and ability to retain possession in tight spaces are elite, but his end product—goals and assists—has not always matched the quality of his approach play. Le Bris has shown patience, valuing Roberts’s role in maintaining possession and creating overloads.

The centre-forward position has been the most contentious. Ross Stewart’s injury absence created a void that has been filled by a committee approach. Eliezer Mayenda has been the most frequently deployed option, his pace and willingness to run the channels offering a different threat to the target-man profile. However, his finishing has been inconsistent, a reflection of his relative inexperience at this level. The January arrival of a loan striker has added competition, but Le Bris has largely stuck with Mayenda for his pressing intensity. The alternative, Nazariy Rusyn, offers more physical presence but has struggled with the tempo of the Premier League.

Tactical Shape and Player Roles Under Régis Le Bris

Le Bris has predominantly employed a 4-3-3 formation that morphs into a 4-2-3-1 in defensive phases. The full-backs are instructed to push high, with Cirkin particularly tasked with forming a midfield trio alongside Neil and Ekwah during build-up. This creates a numerical advantage in central areas but leaves the side vulnerable to counter-attacks, especially against teams with rapid wide players. The system relies heavily on the wingers providing width and the full-backs offering underlapping runs, a pattern that has produced mixed results against deeper defensive blocks.

The pressing structure is mid-block oriented, with the front three encouraged to force play into central areas where the midfield trio can compress space. This approach has been effective against possession-based sides but has been exposed by teams capable of quick vertical passes. The defensive line holds a relatively high starting position, which has led to several high-scoring matches—Sunderland have frequently both scored and conceded in league games so far.

Projected Starting XI for the Run-In

Based on the tactical preferences and injury availability, the most probable starting eleven is as follows:

This lineup reflects Le Bris’s preference for continuity and trust in the players who earned promotion. However, the manager has shown a willingness to adapt based on opposition, with Alese often introduced for Cirkin against teams with strong aerial threats, and Aouchiche replacing Bellingham when additional technical security is required.

Key Squad Depth and Rotation Options

The squad’s depth has been tested by the demands of Premier League intensity. The January window brought in reinforcements, particularly in midfield and attack, but the core remains reliant on Championship-era players. Notable rotation options include:

• Aji Alese: Provides aerial dominance and physicality at left-back or centre-back.
• Adil Aouchiche: Offers set-piece quality and technical control in advanced midfield.
• Nazariy Rusyn: Target-man option for direct play and set-piece targets.
• Chris Rigg: The 18-year-old academy product has made substitute appearances, offering energy and direct running from midfield.

The injury to Ross Stewart has been a significant blow, but the squad has adapted. Le Bris has emphasised collective defensive responsibility, and the team’s expected goals against (xGA) has improved since the turn of the year, suggesting growing tactical cohesion.

Risks and Uncertainties in the Lineup

No projection is without caveats. The primary risk factors include:

• Injury recurrence: Patterson and Ballard have both missed periods this season, and their fitness remains critical.
• Form fluctuations: Bellingham’s performances have been inconsistent, and a dip could see Aouchiche or Rigg earn starts.
• Transfer speculation: Jack Clarke’s future remains a topic of discussion, and any late-window departure would necessitate a reshuffle.
• Tactical adjustments: Le Bris may shift to a 3-4-3 against top-six sides, which would change the roles of the full-backs and midfielders.

The remaining fixtures will test the squad’s resilience. The starting XI may vary from match to match, but the core principles of Le Bris’s system are likely to remain intact.

Conclusion: A Foundation for the Future

Sunderland’s projected starting XI for the 2025/26 run-in represents a blend of academy graduates, shrewd acquisitions, and tactical adaptation. The reliance on players like Neil, Clarke, and Patterson—all products of the club’s youth system—underscores the identity Le Bris has cultivated. While the squad may lack the star power of established Premier League sides, the cohesion and understanding built over multiple seasons have provided a platform for survival and, potentially, growth.

For more detailed profiles of each player in the current squad, visit our players and squad profiles. To understand how the January transfer window shaped this lineup, see our analysis of Sunderland transfer targets January 2026. And for insight into the temporary additions who have contributed to the campaign, our loan players 2025/26 page offers a comprehensive breakdown.

The final weeks of the season will determine whether this lineup is remembered as the one that kept Sunderland in the Premier League or as the foundation for a more ambitious future. Either way, the Black Cats have already demonstrated that the spirit of Roker Park and the Stadium of Light endures—adaptable, resilient, and forever hopeful.