Sunderland v Brentford preview: kick-off time, team news and form
Sunderland host Brentford at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday 28th October, with kick-off at 7.45pm, as the two sides meet in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
A place in the quarter-finals is up for grabs, giving both clubs the chance to add some silverware pursuit to seasons that have otherwise been focused on Premier League survival and progress. Sunderland currently sit 20th in the Premier League table, so a cup run offers a welcome distraction and a chance to build some momentum away from the bread-and-butter league battle.
In terms of League Cup form, Sunderland go into the match unbeaten in the competition this season, their only outing so far being a 1-0 home win over Hull back in September. Brentford have been impressive in the cup, winning both of their ties to date - a 6-1 romp away at Birmingham followed by a 2-1 win at Reading - and will arrive on Wearside full of confidence in this competition.
Looking at the bigger picture, Sunderland's run in all competitions has been mixed of late: LWLDD, including a goalless draw with Leeds United in their last Premier League outing and a win over Torreense in the Europa League sandwiched between league defeats. Brentford's recent sequence in all competitions reads WWDLD, with a draw against Hull City their most recent result, following a defeat to Liverpool and a draw with Aston Villa.
Sunderland Echo reports that Régis Le Bris has been giving selection hints ahead of the game, with injury updates surrounding Thomas Meunier and Wilson Isidor among the main talking points (Sunderland Echo) (Northern Echo). The same source suggests Wilson Isidor and Dan Ballard could be among those returning to contention, while Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle remain sidelined (Sunderland Echo). Sunderland Echo also detailed a mixture of returning players, doubts and absentees for both teams ahead of the tie (Sunderland Echo), and reported on a transfer clause and an EFL rule change that has handed Le Bris a selection boost for the Brentford match (Sunderland Echo).
Defender Trai Hume has been vocal about the approach Sunderland will take, vowing a "full throttle" display against Brentford despite the balancing act between cup ambition and Premier League form, according to Sunderland Echo (Sunderland Echo). Le Bris has also explained his thinking on how seriously the Carabao Cup will be treated, dropping further hints about his selection for the game (Sunderland Echo), with Sunderland Echo also publishing a predicted line-up suggesting as many as ten changes could be made to the side that faced Leeds United (Sunderland Echo).
Kick-off at the Stadium of Light is 7.45pm on Wednesday 28th October.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.