Concern at left-back, a potential upset and how to replace Defoe all feature in three things to monitor ahead of Sunderland’s trip to Queens Park Rangers in tonight’s EFL Cup tie.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
This EFL Cup fourth round tie will be the first league cup meeting between the two sides. However, Queens Park Rangers have the form edge over Sunderland, having won their last three matches against the Black Cats in all competitions.
Neither side have started the season in a particularly impressive manner. David Moyes’ Sunderland are yet to secure a Premier League victory, whilst Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink’s QPR seem haunted by inconsistency and sit in 16th position in the Championship table.
QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
This evening’s contest may prove an ideal distraction from each team’s league form and may see both managers rotate their squads for the match.
Here are three things to watch for ahead of the game…
The return of Patrick Van Aanholt
Despite being named in the starting line-up, Patrick Van Aanholt was removed from the Sunderland match day squad minutes before their weekend fixture against Tottenham Hotspur- and amid a cloud of uncertainty as to the reasoning behind it.
Recent news that the FA advised Sunderland to not play Van Aanholt due to concerns following recent tests on the player’s heart has emerged since the weekend. Reports in The Guardian quote the Sunderland left back down-playing the scare with the comment, “there is really nothing to worry about”. Indeed, Van Aanholt has himself confirmed that he is fit and ready to face QPR – so Moyes’ left back selection and, if chosen, performance of Patrick Van Aanholt is certainly something to monitor.
Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt in action
Can QPR cause a cup upset?
Queens Park Rangers’ last game in front of the Loftus Road supporters resulted in their worst home defeat in 96 years, as they fell to a 6-0 demolition by Newcastle United. The players, according to R’s midfielder Massimo Luongo in the Evening Standard, are hoping to give the home supporters something to cheer about, adding that he feels an upset may be possible. “With their last few results they [Sunderland] are in the same position we are in, wanting to get a win… On paper you will not expect a Championship side to beat a Premier League side but that takes the pressure off us.” – A feat that will be encouraged, with summer signings Pawel Wszolek and Idrissa Sylla due to feature.
QPR’s Idrissa Sylla will be hoping to take advantage of Sunderland’s defensive woes
David Moyes’ search for goals
Sunderland manager Moyes is famed for his ability to set a team up to be defensively drilled and hard to break down. Ironically, Moyes’ finest strength as a manager has not yet fully transferred itself to Sunderland’s start to the season, with the manager himself openly critical of his side’s recent defensive performances. Further issues for Moyes are found in Sunderland’s emerging striker crisis ahead of this EFL tie against QPR. Sunderland have only scored three league goals in their first five games and are without main goal threat Jermaine Defoe (calf) and fellow forwards Fabio Borini (groin) and Adnan Januzaj – who is suspended following his weekend sending-off against Tottenham Hotspur. Victor Anichebe or rookie Joel Asoro is likely to start up front in Sunderland’s hunt for goals.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe shoots at goal at the weekend, but misses out through injury tonight
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