Pompey's opponents for matchday 4 of the 2024/25 Championship season are put under the microscope by Express FM's Kirsty Roxanne.
A draw at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday saw the Blues extend their unbeaten league streak away from home to 12 games. Next up we’re back at Fratton Park for the visit of the league leaders.
SUMMARY
Pompey last met Sunderland in League One in January 2022 at the Stadium Of Light, where The Black Cats ran out 1-0 winners.
It’s time to find out just what’s changed for the Wearside outfit since that game over 2-and-a-half years ago.
MANAGER
Régis Le Bris is the current Sunderland head coach.
In his playing career, the Frenchman played in defence for Rennes and Laval, as well as Belgian club Ronse.
Le Bris started his managerial career as a youth coach for Wasquehal before joining the youth setup at Rennes. During his time with the club’s Under-19s, he led the team to victory in the Championnat National U19 in 2007, before winning the Coupe Gambardella the following year.
In May 2022, Le Bris obtained a professional coaching licence. In June 2022, he was appointed head coach of Lorient’s first team, signing a 3-year contract, however following their relegation at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, he left the club by mutual consent.
It was announced that Le Bris would be appointed as the head coach of The Black Cats in July this year, signing a 3-year deal.
ONE TO WATCH
Midfielder Jobe Bellingham is our one to watch on this occasion.
Bellingham began his career in Birmingham City’s academy, making his first-team debut as a 16-year-old before going on to make 24 league appearances prior to joining Sunderland in 2023.
In November 2023, Bellingham scored the opening goal of Sunderland’s 3-1 win over his former club Birmingham.
Last season, the number 7 scored 7 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions.
Bellingham signed a new deal with Sunderland this August, extending his stay to the end of the 2027/28 season.
The 18-year-old also had international appearances with England’s Under-16’s, 17’s, 18’s, 19’s and 20’s.
TOP SCORER
Sunderland currently have 2 top goalscorers, both on 2 league goals so far this campaign.
Defender Luke O’Nien, who wears the number 13 shirt is one of them - He started his youth career at Watford and made his professional debut against Barnsley in 2014.
After a couple of loan spells at Wealdstone, he signed for then-League Two side Wycombe Wanderers. In 2017/18, he helped the club to secure promotion to League One. He made 101 appearances and scored 15 goals for The Chairboys.
O’Nien joined Sunderland in July 2018 and following an impressive 2020/21 season he was named in the EFL League One Team of the Season. In 2021 O’Nien signed a new three-year contract extension with the club.
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, he was named club captain.
Spanish forward Eliezer Mayenda is the other. He played for Sochaux and Sochaux B, where he became the youngest player to feature in an official senior match for Sochaux, doing so at the age of 16 years, 7 months and 10 days.
Mayenda signed for the club on a 5-year-contract in July 2023. He scored twice in Sunderland's 4-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday and wears the number 12 shirt.
CURRENT FORM
Le Bris’ side currently sit top of the Championship table with maximum points from their opening 3 league fixtures. They are also the only side in the league yet to concede a goal.
Sunderland were however knocked out of the Carabao Cup thanks to a 2-0 defeat to Preston in Round 1.
The last time these sides met at Fratton Park, the game was close to being called off due to adverse weather conditions, however Pompey controversially secured a 4-0 win.
Can the Blues secure their first win of the season or will The Black Cats maintain their 100% league record?
Express FM is the place to be to catch all of the unmissable action as Portsmouth host Sunderland in the Championship with Jake Smith, Ryan Honey and James Wilson reporting LIVE from Fratton Park from 2pm on Saturday (August 31st) afternoon.
Kick-off: 3pm!
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