Regis Le Bris has made two adjustments to his Sunderland side for today’s Premier League match against Chelsea, with Lutsharel Geertruida earning his first start for the Black Cats.
Geertruida, who is currently on loan from RB Leipzig, has previously made four appearances as a substitute. He is joined in the starting eleven by Reinildo Mandava, who returns after serving a three-match suspension for a red card against Aston Villa.
Due to concussion protocols, Omar Alderete is unavailable, leading to Chris Rigg dropping out of the lineup from the last game against Wolves. The tactical setup for Sunderland could vary, with Geertruida potentially slotting in as a defensive midfielder alongside Granit Xhaka to bolster the midfield, or participating in a back five alongside Dan Ballard and Nordi Mukiele, with Trai Hume and Reinildo operating as wing-backs.
Enzo Maresca has included Marc Guiu in Chelsea’s starting lineup, as the striker makes his first Premier League start after a successful Champions League performance against Ajax earlier in the week.
Here are the expected lineups for both teams:
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Pedro, Garnacho; Guiu.
Subs: Jorgsensen, Adarabioyo, Fofana, Hato, Lavia, Santos, Gittens, Estevao, George.
SUNDERLAND (4-3-3): Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo; Geertruida, Xhaka, Sadiki; Traore, Isidor, Le Fee.
Subs: Patterson, Neil, O’Nien, Talbi, Rigg, Brobbey, Mayenda, Jones, Masuaku.
