Derby Vs Sunderland Starting XI

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Post on Jan 22, 2025

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Derby vs Sunderland: Predicting the Starting XIs and Key Battles

Alright, footy fans, let's dive into this juicy Championship clash: Derby County versus Sunderland. These two have a history, you know? Some real nail-biters over the years. This one promises to be another cracker. So, let's get into my predicted starting XIs and some key battles to watch out for. I've been following both teams pretty closely, and while I'm no expert (heck, I even got the last Derby game prediction totally wrong!), I've got a pretty good feeling about this one.

Derby County Predicted Starting XI (4-3-3)

This is where things get interesting. Derby's been a bit up and down, haven't they? Injuries have really messed with their squad. But, based on recent form and what their manager, Liam Rosenior, has been saying, I'm going with this:

• Goalkeeper: Joe Wildsmith – Solid keeper, always reliable.
• Defenders: Max Bird, Curtis Davies (Captain), James Chester, and Nathan Byrne. Davies is the rock at the back, but everyone else has been a bit inconsistent. Let's hope they bring their A-game.
• Midfielders: Jason Knight, Conor Hourihane, and Louie Sibley. Hourihane's experience will be key in midfield.
• Forwards: David McGoldrick, James Collins, and Tom Barkhuizen. McGoldrick needs to find his scoring boots again.

Potential Subs: They're gonna need some options off the bench. Expect to see players like Eiran Cashin and Korey Smith ready to come on if needed.

Sunderland Predicted Starting XI (4-3-3)

Sunderland are looking strong, even after a few wobbly matches. They’ve got a good blend of youth and experience. Here's my predicted lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson - A young talent to keep an eye on.
• Defenders: Lynden Gooch, Danny Batth (Captain), Aji Alese, and Dennis Cirkin. Batth’s leadership is crucial.
• Midfielders: Corry Evans, Dan Neil, and Edouard Michut. Michut’s creativity could be the difference-maker.
• Forwards: Jack Clarke, Ross Stewart, and Patrick Roberts. Stewart's fitness is key – if he’s not fully fit, they will definitely feel it.

Potential Subs: Expect to see the likes of Amad Diallo and Jewison Bennette coming off the bench to add some attacking flair. Maybe even some fresh legs in midfield.

Key Battles to Watch

1. Midfield Dominance: This is going to be HUGE. Hourihane versus Neil will be a fascinating battle of experience versus youth. Whoever wins the midfield battle controls the game.

2. The Battle Up Front: McGoldrick versus Stewart is a classic striker vs striker clash. Can McGoldrick rediscover his form against Sunderland’s solid defense? This is going to be a real test for him.

3. Wide Play: Sunderland's wingers, Clarke and Roberts, possess pace and trickery. Derby's full-backs will need to be on their toes. Let's see who wins that race.

My Prediction (and a little bit of superstition)

It's a tough call. Sunderland are looking very strong. But Derby, at home, can be a tricky opponent. I’m going to say a close victory for Sunderland: 2-1.

But, remember my last prediction was totally rubbish, so take that with a mountain of salt! I usually wear my lucky socks when I make predictions, but they are in the wash...

This is just my take. Football is unpredictable, and anything could happen on the day. Let me know what you think in the comments – what are your predictions?

Keywords: Derby County, Sunderland, Championship, Starting XI, Prediction, Football, Soccer, Match Preview, Team News, Key Battles, Liam Rosenior, Tony Mowbray, Joe Wildsmith, Anthony Patterson, Ross Stewart, David McGoldrick, Jack Clarke, Patrick Roberts.