Regis Le Bris will make his managerial debut with Sunderland this Saturday as they travel to Cardiff City for their opening match of the 2024/25 Championship season. Sunderland appointed Le Bris earlier in the summer, bringing an end to a four-month period without a permanent manager at the Stadium of Light. His arrival has sparked excitement and curiosity among fans who are eager to see how the team performs under his leadership.
Sunderland has been active in the transfer market this summer, signing four new players. One of the most anticipated debuts is that of Alan Browne, who is expected to feature prominently in this weekend’s clash. However, despite these new additions, Sunderland’s pre-season results have been mixed, leaving fans uncertain about what to expect as the Championship season kicks off. The team finished their pre-season campaign with a 2-2 draw against Marseille at Valley Parade, showing flashes of promise under Le Bris.
In terms of team news, Sunderland will be without several key players for their match against Cardiff. New signing Ian Poveda is not yet fit to feature, with Le Bris indicating that he will return in two weeks. Leo Hjelde is also sidelined with an injury, joining Dan Ballard, Pierre Ekwah, Niall Huggins, and Jenson Seelt on the list of absentees.
Le Bris is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, similar to the setup used in the match against Marseille. While a few positions remain undecided, Eliezer Mayenda is likely to start up front, having impressed during pre-season. The young Spaniard has emerged as a standout performer, seemingly ahead of Luis Hemir in the pecking order.
With a mix of youth and experience in the squad, Sunderland fans will be watching closely to see how Le Bris navigates his first competitive match. The game against Cardiff City, kicking off at 12:30 pm, marks the beginning of a new chapter for Sunderland, one that supporters hope will bring success and stability under Le Bris’ guidance.
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