Sunderland v Portsmouth: early team news, predicted starting XIs, match odds, keys stats and more

The Blues go into the game (3pm) eighth in the table – three points behind the Black Cats, who also have a game in hand.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of kick-off...

Sunderland team news

Like Pompey, the Black Cats have added to their squad this week, after they announced the signing of free agent Callum McFadzean on Thursday.

The left-wing-back joins after leaving Plymouth in the summer and will likely be in the Sunderland squad for the visit of the Blues.

Manager Phil Parkinson welcomed back some of his defensive options this week, with a mini-crisis averted.

Jordan Willis missed the midweek game against Crewe with a bruised foot, while Tom Flanagan was only fit enough to be named among the substitutes as he picked up an ankle injury while on international duty with Northern Ireland.

Both defenders, however, have resumed normal training and are in contention to start against Pompey.

Loan arrival Dion Sanderson has also trained this week following his arrival from Wolves.

He had a groin niggle upon his arrival but the Premier League side have asked Sunderland to integrate him into action slowly.

Both Arbenit Xhemajli and Morgan Feeney remain on the sidelines.

Predicted starting XI

Lee Burge, Tom Flanagan, Jordan Willis, Denver Hume, Bailey Wright, Max Power, Luke O’Nien, Lynden Gooch, Grant Leadbitter, Chris Maguire, Charlie Wyke. Subs: Remi Matthews, Connor McLoughlin, Dion Sanderson, Josh Scowen, Callum McFadzean, Andy O’Brien, Danny Graham.

Pompey team news

Pompey new-boy Jordi Hiwula will be in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.

The former Coventry front man will have had two days training with his new Blues team-mates by the time the match has kicked off.

But his lack of game time in recent month means it’s highly unlikely he’ll start.

Hiwula will replace Alfie Stanley on the bench, though, with the youngster having returned to Bognor on loan.

Fellow forward Ellis Harrison remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, manager Kenny Jackett must decide whether to stick with the same XI that started Tuesday night’s victory over Gillingham.

One possible change could see Ben Close come in for Ryan Williams in order to give the Blues an extra body in midfield.

Predicted starting XI

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Tom Naylor, Ben Close, Andy Cannon, Marcus Harness, Michael Jacobs, John Marquis. Subs: Alex Bass, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Cameron Pring, Bryn Morris, Ryan Williams, Ronan Curtis, Jordy Hiwula.

Match-day odds (Bet365)

Sunderland: 11/10

1-0 13/2, 2-0 9/1, 2-1 8/1, 3-0 18/1, 3-1 16/1, 3-2 28/1.

Pompey: 14/5

1-0 9/1, 2-0 16/1, 2-1 11/1, 3-0 40/1, 3-1 28/1, 3-2 33/1.

Draw: 9/4

0-0 17/2, 1-1 5/1, 2-2 12/1, 3-3 50/1, 4-4 250/1.

Referee

Robert Lewis

Sunderland stats

Top scorer: Chris Maguire and Charlie Wyke (both on 4)

Most assists: Josh Scowen (3)

Most games: Luke O’Nien (8)

Pompey stats

Top scorer: Marcus Harness (5)

Most assists: Ronan Curtis and Ryan Williams (both 3)

Most games: Ronan Curtis (11)

Form guide

Sunderland

P9 W6 D3 L0

Past five games

W 1-0 Crewe (H) – League One

W 2-0 Swindon (A) – League One

W 5-3 Carlisle (H) – EFL Trophy

D 0-0 Charlton (A) – League One

W 1-0 Peterborough (H) – League One

Pompey

P11 W5 D3 L3

Past five games

W 2-0 Gillingham (A) – League One

L 1-0 Doncaster Rovers (H) – League One

W 2-1 MK Dons (H) – League One

W 3-0 Southend (A) – EFL Trophy

W 4-2 Burton (A) – League One

Other games (all 3pm kick-offs)

Accrington Stanley v Bristol Rovers, Blackpool v MK Dons, Burton Albion v AFC Wimbledon, Doncaster Rovers v Crewe Alexandra, Gillingham v Fleetwood Town (1pm), Hull City v Peterborough United, Lincoln City v Ipswich Town, Northampton Town v Charlton Athletic, Oxford United v Swindon Town, Shrewsbury Town v Rochdale, Wigan Athletic v Plymouth Argyle.