Championship Preview: Sunderland vs Middlesbrough - Analysis and Insights

Promotion favorites Sunderland meet Middlesbrough on Saturday off the back of their first defeat of the season last weekend. Losing to Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle in dramatic fashion thanks to a Joe Edwards stoppage time winner, Sunderland will be wounded coming into this game.

Middlesbrough come into the tie having also lost just one fixture, though they have also drawn a further two.

As kick off nears, we take a closer look at both sides, investigating strategies, team news, key players and absences that could affect the game.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Standings

Having won all of their first four games at a canter, Sunderland traveled south to Plymouth with an easy victory in mind, particularly against a side who had picked up just two points prior to the game.

However, Plymouth showed what they were all about, and were equal to Sunderland in possession, XG, and total passes. Sunderland led at half time, but conceded two second half goals to find themselves trailing with five minutes to go.

Romaine Mundle equalized to seemingly steal a point, but Plymouth captain Edwards had other ideas, and pounced on a rebound to send the Argyle fans into raptures. Before kick-off against Plymouth, the Black Cats had scored 10 goals and conceded just one, quickly garnering the label of title favorites.

The winning moment 🙌@Argyle Skipper Joe Edwards on hand to give the Pilgrims their first win of the season 🎉

Watch all of the @EFL highlights on ITV tonight! pic.twitter.com/U0fmg13QTi

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 14, 2024

However, after this most recent result, the squad will be reeling, and morale could plummet. Granted, it could simply be a blip which they overcome in the game against Middlesbrough. However, such an unlikely defeat rarely leaves a side untouched, so I expect Sunderland to make hard work of Boro.

Middlesbrough themselves have been going steady so far this season, winning two, drawing two and losing one.

They beat Swansea 1-0 on the opening day, before falling to Derby by the same scoreline and drawing the subsequent game against Portsmouth 2-2. They returned to winning ways with a confident 2-0 victory over Cardiff, before adding another point to their tally in their most recent match against Preston.

Boro have been anything but spectacular this season, but have been effective all the same, and good sides tend to find a way to pick up points by any means necessary. Their three highest rated players on Sofascore so far this season are defenders, a testament to the massive shifts being put in across the back line.

🔝 How’s that table looking, @WBA fans?#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/4zBDEelyLH

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) September 15, 2024

But as long as the back line remains strong, and Boro threaten on the counter, then there is no reason why they can’t upset the Championship big boys this season.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Recent Meetings

• 04/02/2024: Middlesbrough 1-1 Sunderland.
• 07/10/2023: Sunderland 0-4 Middlesbrough.
• 22/01/2023: Sunderland 2-0 Middlesbrough.
• 05/09/2022: Middlesbrough 1-0 Sunderland.
• 24/02/2018: Sunderland 3-3 Middlesbrough.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Team News

As they did before the Plymouth game, Sunderland have maintained a fully fit squad with all players available. With an already dangerous squad, having all personnel available makes Sunderland a particularly menacing opponent.

Middlesbrough will be without Jonny Howson, who has been out through injury since their Carabao Cup clash with Leeds United in mid-August. However, he is an exception to the rule, with the majority of the Boro squad ready and waiting in the wings.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Predicted Lineups

• Sunderland (4-3-3): Patterson (GK), Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin, Rigg, Neil, Bellingham, Roberts, Mayenda, Mundle.
• Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Dieng (GK), Ayling, Dijksteel, Clarke, Borges, Barlaser, Hackney, Doak, Conway, Azaz, Latte Lath.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough Player to Watch

Middlesbrough’s Ben Doak made his first appearance of the season at the weekend against Preston. Formerly of Liverpool’ academy, he was 13 years old when he joined Liverpool’s U18’s team because he was simply too advanced for the other age groups.

An electric attacker who can play on the wing or through the middle, Doak’s youth removes any form of reservations he may have about taking on a defender. He simply sees the gap and goes for it, which is what makes his game so exciting.

Hopefully we can see more of Ben Doak next season 🤩pic.twitter.com/9r13giLloj

— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) June 6, 2023

Already playing regularly for the Scottish national team, Doak now needs to translate his form there to club football, and with a counter-attacking side such as Middlesbrough, he may have found the perfect playground to develop and improve. Keep an eye on him.