Accrington v Sunderland Preview

Accrington Stanley v Sunderland Preview

Overview:

Tuesday night sees the beginning of cup football for the season, and a trip to Accrington awaits Sunderland. This is Sunderland's third trip since the beginning of last season (thanks to an abandoned game) and will be pleased to know this is the first game to be played on the newly relaid pitch at Accrington. Jack Ross knows a performance is needed after two opening draws in the league, and this should come as a welcome distraction ahead of the clash with Portsmouth on Saturday, whilst offering a number of fringe players a chance to impress.

What to Expect from Accrington?:

Accrington began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Lincoln away from home, before seeing their league game against Bury postponed on Saturday.

They lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the most notable absentee Billy Kee, who is yet to return to training since pre season. 3 new signings started in an otherwise settled team from last season, including Colby Bishop, a striker signed from non-league Leamington in the summer. Lincoln deserved their victory and the best chance Accrington created from their 15 attempts came from a McConville free kick in the first half, further evidenced by only achieveing an xg of 1.1 across those attempts to Lincoln's 2.4 across the same amount. Since that defeat, Accrington have brought in strikers Courtney Baker-Richardson on loan from Swansea and Dion Charles from National League North Southport, hoping to add more firepower and fill the void left by the absent Kee, who managed 13 goals and 5 assists in the league last season. 

Regarding last season's games, Sunderland fared best when playing at pace against Hughes and Sykes, who are solid in the air but unconvincing when the ball was played on the ground. This resulted in a very direct style of play from the back for Accrington, with Kee and Smyth nuisances to Sunderland's back 4 as Accrington targeted balls over the top for them to chase. This particularly worked well in 2-2 draw away at Sunderland last season, with Smyth in particular impressing. With Smyth now at Wycombe and Kee unavailable, they will be relying upon whoever starts up front to fulfill a similar role, covering a lot of ground and making life difficult for the Sunderland defenders. As a result, a sensible option for Sunderland at the back would be the physical Ozturk, with any of the other reasonable choices for covering if the ball goes over the top.

Finley and Connelly offer a lot of energy in the middle in keeping with the workman like attack, not afraid to get stuck in and making it hard for Sunderland to find space in the middle. Key to Sunderland's attacking will be pace and moving the ball quickly if they are to break down this Accrington side, which could see starts for Embleton, Maguire and Kimpioka. Sterling and Morgan caused the Accrington defence major problems last season, so Ross should be looking at Kimpioka to offer a similar role, getting the ball down and running at their defence. Although still raw, this offers another good chance for Kimpioka to make his mark on the first team after a few starts in the EFL Cup last season. 

The level of rotation that Accrington manager Coleman will look to implement awaits to be seen, especially given their extended break since the Lincoln game, but it would be expected to see a similar XI take to the pitch from their opening game.

Team News:

The only absentees currently expected for Accrington are Kee and Zanzala, meaning Coleman has a near fully fit team to choose from. New signings Baker-Richardson and Charles could feature, whilst other new signings Carvalho and Sherif will be pushing for starts having featured from the bench last time out. Defender Ben Barclay is available after serving a suspension.

Jack Ross has admitted he will be looking to rotate the team, some of which will be enforced thanks to injuries suffered on Saturday. McGeouch and Hume both miss out having started on Saturday, leaving Sunderland with no fit senior left backs. Loovens, Watmore and Robson remain on the sidelines, but Power and Wyke are expected to play some part in the game. A full Sunderland debut for Lee Burge will be expected in goal, whilst Ozturk and Baldwin may be given a chance at the back following Willis and Flanagan's less than impressive opening games. Newly appointed club captain Leadbitter should make his first start and offer greater control in the midfield. Up top the struggling Will Grigg may be given another chance to get his season underway, hoping to replicate his form in the 3-0 away win last season. Maguire impressed off the bench on Saturday so will be expected to start.

Verdict:

Totally depends which Sunderland turns up. The games against Accrington last season perfectly encapuslated the frustrations of Sunderland fans, with the 2-2 home draw a result of a sluggish start and poor defending, contrasted by a confident 3-0 away win where Sunderland dominated from start to finish. Leadbitter should offer control in the midfield in a game like this one, but the prospect of an unsettled back four for Sunderland should offer Accrington hope. If Sunderland turn up, they should have enough class going forward to win, however it is a big if on current form, and the go to result of 1-1 wouldn't be a great surprise.