Sunderland will welcome Brentford at the Stadium of Light this Wednesday night as they look to secure a win at home in the EFL Cup. The Black Cats were held to a 0-0 draw by Leeds United recently, so they would be eager to return to winning ways in midweek.
Regis Le Bris will set his players up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make a few changes to his first team for this game. Chemsdine Talbi, Omar Alderete and Timur Tutyerov could play from the start of this clash.
4-2-3-1 Sunderland Predicted Lineup To Face Brentford
Defence
Robin Roefs will feature in between the sticks for the Black Cats after keeping a clean sheet in his last appearance. Omar Alderete will function alongside Luke O’Nien at the centre of the Sunderland backline as they look to keep a good shape on the defensive end of the field.
Trai Hume will try to catch the eye as the right-back, while Reinildo Mandava hopes to prove his worth on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will get the freedom to go forward and express themselves inside the opponent’s half.
Nordi Mukiele will offer cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Trai Hume of Sunderland looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Sunderland and Hull City at Stadium of Light on September 08, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Midfield
Jules Ahoka and Granit Xhaka will operate as Sunderland’s holding midfielders as they look to make life tough for the Bees in the middle of the park.
The talented trio of Malick Fofana, Chris Rigg and Chemsdine Talbi will play just ahead of them as part of Le Bris’ attack. All three of them need to be at their best if the Black Cats are to come out on top in the EFL Cup this Wednesday.
Nilson Angulo and Enzo Le Fee will have to be content with a spot on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the second 45 minutes if needed.
Attack
Timur Tutyerov will spearhead Le Bris’ attack up top. He would be eager to impress by finding the back of the net versus the Bees this week.
Brian Brobbey will be available for selection on the bench as he waits for his chance to make an impact in the latter stages of the game if the Black Cats are in need of a goal by then.