Stadium of Light (15:00 BST) hosts a relegation-zone six-pointer between Sunderland (17th, 4 pts) and Coventry (18th, 3 pts). Both sides were promoted from the Championship and are in the Premier League together for the first time since the 1990s. Jobe Bellingham's dynamism gives Sunderland an edge over a Coventry side still adapting to the top flight.
Sunderland: Jobe Bellingham anchors the engine room
Regis Le Bris's Sunderland have shown resilience but conceded four goals against Man City in GW5. Bellingham (J. Bellingham, 19 FPL pts) drives from the base — technically gifted and a bright point in a side needing to defend better. Mayenda is the main goal-scoring threat.
Sunderland Predicted Starting XI & Lineup · 4-3-3
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
Coventry: Haji Wright the survival hope
Mark Robins' Coventry are 18th with three points. Haji Wright (17 FPL pts) has scored twice — the only reason Coventry are not bottom. O'Hare provides creativity but the supply chain is thin on the road.
Season snapshot
- Sunderland are 17th on 4 points (4 scored, 10 conceded) through GW5.
- Last time out (GW5): Manchester City 4–1 Sunderland — Haaland hat-trick at the Etihad.
- Sunderland FPL pick: Jobe Bellingham (19 pts, £5.5m, 4.7% owned) — value in budget midfield slots.
- Coventry are 18th on 3 points (3 scored, 13 conceded) through GW5.
- Last time out (GW5): Coventry 0–1 Chelsea — narrow home defeat.
- Coventry FPL pick: Haji Wright (17 pts, £6.2m, 3.1% owned).
- This is the first Sunderland vs Coventry Premier League meeting since 1999/2000.
- Coventry have kept no clean sheets in their first five games.
FPL picks
- Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland, MID): budget gem at £5.5m, home fixture — keep in mind limited attacking upside.
- Haji Wright (Coventry, FWD): two goals, cheap — best performing Coventry asset but tough fixture.
- Prediction: Sunderland 2–1 Coventry.
Verdict
Sunderland's home advantage in a tight derby. Prediction: Sunderland 2–1 Coventry.