Starting XI: All change for Sunderland’s final pre-season clash?

Tony Mowbray gave a strong insight into his thinking ahead of the season’s opener with his selection against Real Mallorca – and it’s likely the players who didn’t start on Saturday will get a run out tonight.

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Goalkeeper: Matthew Young

There’s no point taking any risks with Patterson tonight, so Matthew Young should line up in goal again, unless fellow youngster Adam Richardson’s fit again.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Defenders: Lynden Gooch, Nectar Triantis, Danny Batth, Niall Huggins

I was surprised Batth didn’t start alongside Ballard on Saturday, and we’ll soon see how much we can read into that. Gooch, Triantis and Huggins will likely start tonight – it was good to see Huggins back in action, and he could well provide stiff competition in both fullback positions.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Midfield: Chris Rigg, Alex Pritchard

With Neil, Ekwah, Bellingham and O’Nien all playing on Saturday, we’re a little light in the centre of midfield. It’s almost certain Rigg will start, and Mowbray could well opt for the experience of Pritchard to partner him in a deeper-than-usual role.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Attacking midfield: Issac Lihadji, Abdoullah Ba, Jewison Bennette

These three have been in good form in pre-season, and while it’ll be difficult to force their way past Clarke and Roberts, there is a third place in attack possibly up for grabs. It’ll be good for them to get a game into their legs tonight, and if they don’t make Sunday’s starting XI it’s a stick-on they’ll line up against Crewe in the league cup.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

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Striker: Harry Gardiner

Gardiner’s been in goalscoring form for the under-21s in pre-season, and I don’t see what we have to lose by giving either him or Max Thompson a run out up front, particularly in light of Mayenda’s injury.