Alex Neil named an unchanged side for the second leg of Sunderland's play-off semi-final. The Black Cats boss had not named the same starting XI for two games in a row since he arrived on Wearside in February, and this was the moment he chose to break that pattern.
But Neil did include striker Nathan Broadhead on the bench, with the on-loan Everton man passed fit after missing the first leg through injury. Sunderland took a 1-0 lead in the tie following the first leg against Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light on Friday night, and Neil kept faith with those who started that game.
Assuming he sticks with the same system, that would mean a back four with Lynden Gooch at right-back, Dennis Cirkin at left-back, with Bailey Wright and Danny Batth in the centre. Luke O'Nien would then partner Corry Evans just in front of the back four, with Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke offering the attacking width, and Alex Pritchard playing in the number ten role behind lone striker Ross Stewart, whose goal separates the sides going into tonight's game.
