I caught up with Read Boro editor Tom Wardle to have a chat about Sunday’s opponents ahead of the first home game of the season as Sunderland take on Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.
1. How have Boro coped in pre-season? Any winning runs we should be concerned about?
We are currently on a six-game unbeaten run, which includes five friendlies and our game against stoke last week. We played nine friendlies, winning four and losing just once against La Liga side Real Betis.
2. How has Karanka recruited in the summer?
I think I can say on behalf of more or less every Boro fan, it has been a brilliant summer business wise. Karanka concentrated o making sure our defence was up to Premier League standard, as he brought in centre-back Bernardo Espinosa, full back Antonio Barragan and defensive midfielder Marten De Roon. Although, we have made a big statement with a few of our forward signings, most significantly Ex-Man City man Alvaro Negredo.
3. Who should Sunderland be concerned about on Sunday?
Gaston Ramirez. He had a fantastic end to last season for us on loan, but I wasn’t sure he would be able to do it in the Premier league, after disastrous spells at Southampton and Hull. However, last week against Stoke, he was our danger man, running at players, and terrifying a well-drilled Stoke side. He provided the assist for Negredo and managed to hit the post.
4. Who is missing for Boro this weekend?
Grant Leadbitter as expected will be out for a long time, due to a hernia. But new signing Marten De Roon will also be missing, which is a huge blow for Boro. He played in a similar role to Kante, breaking up attacks before getting the attack going. However, Daniel Ayala and Bernardo Espinosa are reported to be fit to play again after missing pre-season with injuries.
5. What’s your predicted XI for the game?
We usually play a 4-2-3-1 like many Premier League sides, and I can’t see Karanka changing a formation that has brought us success.
Valdes; Nsue, Ayla, Gibson, Friend; Forshaw, Clayton; Adomah, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo.
6. Finally, what result are you predicting?
It look’s as though Sunderland will be without a few key men, most notably Kirchoff and Kone. So for that reason, I’ll go for a 1-2 Boro win. Defoe usually get’s on the score sheet, but with Boro’s firepower up top, I can see Boro just edging it.
