Sunderland’s predicted XI to face Crewe on Saturday

by Matt Dawson share

2 minute read 27/2/2021 | 09:40am

Sunderland’s busy period of football is showing no signs of letting up with another fixture to prepare for on Saturday afternoon.

The Mackems have tasted defeat in just two of their last 17 league outings, a brilliant run that has been engineered by the methods of Lee Johnson.

He has been game-changing for the Mackems’ attack with Charlie Wyke becoming the league’s second top scorer and Aiden McGeady becoming League One’s most prolific creator.

They have swatted aside fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln and Doncaster in recent months but Crewe could represent another tough encounter on Saturday.

Vokins

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Jones

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McFadzean

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Therefore, what formation and starting XI could Johnson field?

We’re predicting the Mackems boss to make two changes from the team that beat Fleetwood in midweek.

There is a change of formation with the manager reverting back to a four-man defence. That means that Lynden Gooch is axed from the XI with the £8.1k-per-week Josh Scowen returning from injury in the middle of the park.

There is a solitary change in defence where Jake Vokins comes in for Callum McFadzean. The pair have been poor in recent weeks but with a four-man defence in operation, we feel it would be too risky to bring the more attacking Jordan Jones into the fray.

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Who is the player?

Jack Rodwell Joleon Lescott

Bailey Wright is still out while Tom Flanagan is a week away from returning according to the boss.

The effervescent trio of Wyke, McGeady and O’Brien all continue in forward areas. The latter scored against Fleetwood and appears to be in good form, quickly becoming one of Johnson’s go-to men.

Under Phil Parkinson, he struggled for much game time. The same can be said for McGeady, a player who is now among the most dangerous in the third tier.

AND in other news, Imagine him & McGeady: Sunderland missed dream signing in “extremely talented” 27 y/o…