Sunderland’s XI vs AZ Alkmaar based on Premier League minutes | OneFootball

Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar on the opening night of the Europa League’s league phase, with European football back on Wearside for the first time since 1973. Here is how their XI would look if it were picked on Premier League minutes.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats turn to Europe after Saturday’s home loss to Premier League champions Arsenal, having pushed them hard before conceding to Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka.

Regis Le Bris drew more positives than negatives from that display as he fine-tunes preparations. AZ arrive in form, with 16 points from a possible 18, their five-game winning run halted by a 1-1 draw with Willem II on Friday night.

There is no doubt Sunderland will go in as favourites and Le Bris has major calls to make, with several players pressing for starts on Wednesday night.

Sunderland’s strongest starting XI based on Premier League minutes this season: GK Robin Roefs (360), RB Thomas Meunier (320), LB Reinildo Mandava (360), CB Dan Ballard (360), CB Nordi Mukiele (270), CM Granit Xhaka (360), CM Noah Sadiki (344), RW Trai Hume (196), AMC Enzo Le Fee (350), LW Nilson Angulo (258), ST Brian Brobbey (311).

Source: Sunderland Echo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”